By Staff Writer

With the launch of a ‘world-first’ government website on public hospital activity, West Australians can now directly access information on bed availability and emergency department services.

WA Minister for Health Dr Kim Hames said the Department of Health hospital activity website promoted government accountability and transparency.

“The release of weekly hospital bed data and daily and weekly emergency department (ED) information on the Internet is a national and international first,” Dr Hames said.

“The website will provide information on available same day 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 ramping.”

Dr Hames said the website was evidence of WA “leading the charge” towards open government and the recently signed COAG health-system reporting and accountability targets.

For more information visit the WA Public Hospital Activity website.