Expectant mothers in Western Australia have saved an estimated 20,000 hours a year on GP appointments thanks to an initiative to allow midwives to administer whooping cough and flu vaccinations. 

Health Minister Kim Hames said the initiative had been recognised in the inaugural 2015 Red Tape Reduction Report Card and was an example of how WA Health was contributing to the State Government’s commitment to reducing red tape.

“Thanks to amendments to the vaccination code, midwives can now administer pertussis and influenza vaccinations in antenatal clinics, making life easier for patients,” he said.

“Not only is this reducing the requirement for specialised immunisations nurses, it also means that women do not need to return to their GP for a vaccination, saving an estimated 20,000 hours a year.

“This is an important initiative for care-givers as it saves time and it’s more convenient.  WA Health will continue to work to deliver practical benefits and cost savings to the wider community.”

Dr Hames said WA Health was keen to build on a list of initiatives that had already been implemented to help reduce red tape, including:

• the introduction of the Emergency Telehealth Service that leverages technology to support service delivery
• the establishment of GradConnect, a centralised administration process that links newly qualified nurses and midwives with health services offering transition to practice programs
• reforming the poisons legislation through the introduction of a Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act and associated regulations.

Finance Minister Bill Marmion said the report card highlighted the range of real, practical benefits the Government was delivering to businesses and community.

“The State Government is reducing unnecessary regulatory burden, using resources more efficiently and making it easier to deal with government,” Mr Marmion said.