For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.

West Australians who need to take time off work while they await COVID test results after the borders drop on February 5 next year will be able to apply for a payment from the state government.

Eligibility criteria have not been announced, but $80 million has been designated for the assistance. Similar payments are available in other states including Victoria, which offers a $450 payment to workers isolating while waiting for test results.

A COVID test and isolate payment will be made available for people who take time off work while waiting for their PCR test results.Credit:AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias

The payment is only available to workers who have not received any income during the self-isolation period and those who have exhausted or not been entitled to any sick leave.

New South Wales has a similar $320 payment.

The state government also announced a $200 million health department payroll and human resources system spending commitment in its mid-year budget review on Thursday.

WA Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan revealed $920 million in extra funding for COVID response measures and the health system.

The WA government has come under intense pressure from health unions and the public over poor management of health system funding, which has led to staffing and bed shortages.

Resourcing issues have also led to concerns about WA health system’s ability to deal with COVID once it enters the state.

Health Minister Roger Cook said the funding provided for more hospital beds, staff, equipment, and infrastructure upgrades.

“These improvements we are making to the health system are equivalent to bringing online a new hospital – with an additional 530 beds being delivered around the state,” he said.

The $200 million payroll and human resources system will replace WA Health’s old management system which services about 54,000 staff.

About $256 million will be spent on COVID-19 activities including hotel quarantine, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, the State Health Incident Coordination Centre, the vaccination rollout and pathology testing.

The government will also pump more money into the health system with $240 million in funding on top of previous announcements to be spent on easing health and mental health demand pressures.

Mr McGowan said the funding would bring total COVID, health and mental health funding announced this year up to $3.2 billion.

“As the State prepares to safely transition, we are putting in place additional support to prepare the health system and bolster our responses to COVID-19, including vaccination and contact tracing,” he said.

The mid-year review also incorporates funding to contract an operator to commission, fit out and run the Bullsbrook quarantine facility being built by the Federal government.

About $17.6 million will be spent on fixing the long-stay hospital bed problem where elderly patients and patients awaiting National Disability Insurance Scheme services will be able to be transferred to community health settings at the end of their hospital stay.

The mid-year review comes as it was revealed 1872 registered and enrolled nurses left their employment at WA Health between April and November this year.

Opposition health spokeswoman Libby Mettam said the government funding amounted to it playing catch up.

“We welcome any investment in the health system at a time when the McGowan Government is playing a desperate game of catch up ahead of the border opening,” she said.

Mid-year review COVID and health inclusions

• $40 million for additional capital works including two additional theatres at King Edward Memorial Hospital and ward refurbishment at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital;
• $3.5 million for the replacement of staff accommodation at Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service in Jigalong; and
• $2.3 million for the Newborn Bloodspot Screening program and $773,000 for equipment upgrades for the program.
• an additional $9.8 million to maintain enhanced cleaning in schools; and
• an extra $4.5 million for the State Welfare Incident Coordination Centre to continue supporting the community and returned travellers.

“With a $5.8 billion surplus and 21 months with little COVID in the community, there has been every chance to ensure our health system has had every chance to prepare our health system.

“Clearly the McGowan government is now scrambling with 2000 nurses quitting and a health system on its knees.”

A spokesman for Mr Cook said the nurses and midwives workforce FTE had actually gone up, not down in the past year.

“In January 2021 there were 13,681 full time equivalent nurses and midwives working in the health system. Now compare that to November this year – the workforce had increased to 14,940,” he said.

“That’s about 1250 more – or a nine per cent increase. There is always a turnover of staff in the health system which has more than 50,000 million employees.

“What it means is health has hired more nurses than have left the system and they are continuing to hire even more nurses to meet demand.”

Further details of the mid-year review are expected to be announced later Thursday.

Most Viewed in Politics

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article