WA Premier Colin Barnett concedes there have been more than just teething problems at Fiona Stanley Hospital, after the second serious water leak in three months last week caused flooding.
Mr Barnett has thrown his backing behind Health Minister Kim Hames, who is also his deputy, to retain the senior portfolio – despite a string of problems at the new $2 billion facility.
“Name me a health minister in West Australia history that has done more than Kim Hames,” he said.
“The Fiona Stanley Hospital, the Children’s Hospital, the Midland Health Campus, the Albany Hospital, the Busselton Hospital, using not-for-profits in terms of care in the home, money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“An enormous expenditure and effort has been made by this Government in the area of health and Kim Hames has led that, of course he needs to stay on.”
The Opposition has criticised Dr Hames for taking leave after the latest issue with faulty water pipe bellows emerged.
It means Dr Hames will miss a meeting between government representatives and the building contractors, scheduled for tomorrow, to discuss the problem.
The Health Department has had to replace a number of water pipe bellows, two responsible for the water leaks, and has flagged others may need to be changed.
Asked if the state would be able to recoup any money for the water leak problems, Mr Barnett said he was quite sure the builder or the supplier of the faulty equipment would “come good”.
“Sure there have been perhaps more than teething problems, but it is a large complex building and some things have gone wrong, but the hospital is magnificent and doing its job superbly,” he said.
Nursing union ‘alarmist’: Premier
Mr Barnett also dismissed concerns raised by the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) about patient care at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
In its submission to the parliamentary inquiry examining the facility, the ANF claimed short staffing was resulting in patients being left lying in soiled sheets longer than they should be.
The union also claimed newborn babies were being put at risk by being admitted to the general paediatric ward alongside infants with respiratory conditions.
Mr Barnett described the allegations as “alarmist”.
“If there is a genuine issue I think that should be brought to the attention of the Health Department or the Minister,” he said.
“But going out and undermining confidence in Fiona Stanley Hospital, I don’t think is the right think to be done.”
Dr Hames has flagged his intention to retire at the next state election in March 2017 and Mr Barnett said he expected his Health Minister would remain in the Cabinet until much closer to the next poll.
“All I have said to members of Parliament, or particularly members of Cabinet, is if you are thinking of retiring at the next election or you wish to step down from Cabinet I would like to know 12 months out from the election … that’s the only requirement I have placed,” Mr Barnett said.
“Now Kim has said he’s not going to stand at the next election … he will continue as Health Minister.
“At some stage he might step aside and a new minister would be appointed, but that would be closer to the election.”
In relation to how long Dr Hames would remain as deputy leader, Mr Barnett said that would be something worked out between the two of them.
“There’s no great pressure on him or anyone else to make changes there,” he said.