Stroke in Western Australian Parliament

Emily Hamilton MLA and Deputy Premier, Minister for Health Roger Cook MLA showcase stroke in Western Australian Parliament.

MS E. HAMILTON (Joondalup) [9.49 am]: My grievance today is to the Minister for Health. It relates to Joondalup Health Campus and the need for a stroke support unit to be open and accessible for people who live in the rapidly growing northern corridor. This is also a relevant issue for my colleagues in this place whose electorates are in the northern suburbs.
………

The Stroke Foundation’s 2014 figures show that 7 100 people in the Joondalup–Wanneroo area were living with the effects of a stroke and that 750 new strokes had occurred. Many of us have a family member, relative or close friend, or know a parent at the local school, who has experienced the devastating effects of stroke.
………

Stroke patients who live in the northern corridor often have to make daily trips south of Joondalup to access the support and dedicated and specialised care that they need. The majority of these people go to Fiona Stanley Hospital. This means time away from their family and additional travelling costs.
………

I ask the minister whether there is some way in which a stroke unit could be established at Joondalup Health Campus and be open and accessible to support the needs of people in the northern corridor without the need to wait for completion of the upgrade and expansion of Joondalup Health Campus.

Download the full transcript

Deputy Premier, Minister for Health Roger Cook MLA
………

The message today to the member for Joondalup and her constituents is that we are getting on with this important election commitment immediately. We are not waiting until the redevelopment of the hospital has been completed. We want to bring these important services to bear as soon as possible. The statistics that the member cited make sobering reading, with over 7 000 people in the Joondalup area requiring ongoing assistance for the impact of stroke and 700 people in one year having had a stroke episode. We know that there is a need for stroke services in this area, and we are responding to that.

I also thank Jonine Collins, the WA executive officer of the National Stroke Foundation, who we have been working with to keep this election commitment and make sure we are delivering on the service we said we would provide to the Joondalup community. Most importantly, I once again praise the advocacy of the member for Joondalup. She has done a great job and has been unrelenting since getting elected in pestering my office and me about making sure we get on with this important election commitment, and I am very pleased to announce that we will be doing so.

Download the full transcript