Northam hospital—Worm infestation
801. Hon Anthony Spagnolo to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to deeply disturbing reports from Northam Health Service that worms have been present in the ceiling for several months and that one of these worms allegedly dropped into the meal of an elderly patient.
(1) Can the minister confirm whether Northam Health Service is aware of these claims and what immediate investigations it has ordered into the hygiene and safety standards at Northam hospital?
(2) How long have complaints regarding worms in the ceiling being known to staff or management and what actions, if any, have been taken under the minister's watch to address the issue?
(3) Will the minister table any records of maintenance or facility management reports relating to infestations, ceiling integrity or hygiene concerns at Northam hospital over the past 12 months and, if such records exist, what do they reveal about when the problem was first identified and what remedial action has been undertaken?
(4) Does the minister accept responsibility for this apparent breakdown in the most basic standards of hospital maintenance and patient care?
Hon Pierre Yang replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by Minister for Health.
(1)–(4) No evidence of worms has been found in Northam Health Service.
Several members interjected.
The President: Order!
