New health website a world-first

Information on bed availability and emergency department (ED) services in Western Australia's public hospitals is now available to the public, thanks to a new website launched today.

Health Minister Dr Kim Hames said the Department of Health website - entitled 'WA Public Hospital Activity' - was a major step forward in transparency and accountability.

"The release of weekly hospital bed data and daily and weekly ED information on the Internet is a national and international first," Dr Hames said.

"The Liberal-National Government and the Department of Health are committed to improving the transparency and accountability of our health system and providing the community with more information on hospital performance.

"The website will provide information on available sameday and overnight hospital and mental-health beds, and will be updated every Wednesday - making the information easily available to the community.

"Daily information will also be available on ED attendances by urgency category and waiting time, ED admissions, ambulance attendances and ambulance diversion and ramping."

Mental Health Minister Dr Graham Jacobs welcomed the transparency in mental health bed information availability and said it would assist patients and carers.

Dr Hames said that the release of bed and ED information on the Internet showed that WA was serious about national efforts to enhance the transparency of Australia's public health systems.

"The Council of Australian Governments recently signed up to a range of health-system reporting and accountability targets - this new website is evidence that WA is leading the charge towards a more open and accountable system," he said.

Bed and ED information from metropolitan hospitals is now available on the website, while bed information from WA's country hospitals is scheduled to be available from March.

The website can be accessed at: http://www.health.wa.gov.au/emergencyactivity

Health Minister's office: 9222 8788