6127 PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 2007-08-09 FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FOURTH PARLIAMENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS No. 139 THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2009 The Questions and Answers Paper is published at the end of each sitting day and will contain, by number and title, all unanswered questions, together with questions to which answers have been received on that sitting day and any new questions. Consequently the full text of any question will be printed only twice: when notice is given; and, when answered. During any adjournment of two weeks or more a Questions and Answers Paper will be published from time to time containing answers received. 6128 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2009 Publication of Questions Answer to be lodged by Q & A No. 131 (Including Question Nos 6420 to 6483) 18 June 2009 Q & A No. 132 (Including Question Nos 6484 to 6558) 19 June 2009 Q & A No. 133 (Including Question Nos 6559 to 6592) 07 July 2009 Q & A No. 134 (Including Question Nos 6593 to 6674) 08 July 2009 Q & A No. 135 (Including Question Nos 6675 to 6754) 09 July 2009 Q & A No. 136 (Including Question Nos 6755 to 6817) 10 July 2009 Q & A No. 137 (Including Question Nos 6818 to 6848) 21 July 2009 Q & A No. 138 (Including Question Nos 6849 to 6895) 22 July 2009 Q & A No. 139 (Questions—Nil) - 6129 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2009 14 MAY 2009 (Paper No. 131) *6420 EXPOSURE TO X-RAYS—Mr Richard Amery asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council— (1) What is the latest information on cancer risk to patients exposed to radiation from x-ray machines? (2) What protocols are in place in the New South Wales public hospital systems designed to reduce the number of x-rays on patients? (3) Are there any policies in place within the New South Wales health system that promote the use of alternative technology, such as MRI machines, with the goal of reducing patient exposure to radiation? Answer— I am advised by the Hon John Della Bosca MLC, Minister for Health: (1) Whilst any exposure to ionising radiation may be harmful, when radiological examinations are used appropriately for medical diagnostic⁄ therapeutic purposes the individual health risk-benefit must be considered and in most cases the benefits outweigh the risks. It is widely acknowledged that patients should not be exposed to radiation that is not required for producing an image of diagnostic quality. Given the increasing numbers of individuals exposed to low and high dose radiation over their lifetime, continued surveillance of potential risk is recommended. (2) All equipment which emits ionising radiation is required to be registered through the Radiation Control Regulation (2003), under the Radiation Control Act (1990), in order to meet minimum safety standards. The regulations are administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environment and Climate Change. All operators of ionising radiation equipment are also required to be appropriately qualified and licenced. The main goal of the Radiation Control Act (1990) is to limit the possible harm to persons and the environment from exposure to ionising and harmful non-ionising radiation to a degree that is "As Low as Reasonably Achievable" - the ALARA principle. This aligns with the International Commission on Radiological Protection recommendations. (3) NSW Health facilities provide a range of diagnostic imaging services to meet the clinical needs of patients. The decision regarding the most appropriate type of diagnostic imaging technology is made by clinicians in order to best meet the individual clinical requirements of the patient. *6425 ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABLED YOUNG ADULTS IN ALBURY—Mr Greg Aplin asked the Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs— (1) How many young adults with disabilities are resident in supported accommodation in Albury and in which locations? (2) How many young adults with disabilities are registered as seeking supported accommodation in Albury? (3) What progress has been made in response to proposals for a supported accommodation model advanced by Parents of Young Adults with a Disability Albury (POYWADA)? Answer— Through Stronger Together, DADHC is committed to increasing the range and type of supported accommodation options to match the needs of people with a disability. In the next three years, over $3.5 million will be spent as part of this plan to increase the number of specialist accommodation places in DADHC's Western Region. DADHC's allocates funding based on population distribution and identified needs. DADHC service planning processes are designed to ensure equity of access to services. Through planning and consultation, DADHC has established that there is a need for additional accommodation services for families in the Albury area. As part of this process, DADHC has given consideration to a proposal from Parents of Young Adults with a Disability Albury. *6429 HEALTH AND HOSPITALS FUND SUBMISSIONS—Mr Mike Baird asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council— (1) Will the Minister provide a list of the submissions made by the Government for funding from the 6130 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2009 Federal government under its Health and Hospitals Fund? (2) Will the Minister provide a copy of all the submissions made by the Government? (3) What was the total cost of funding sought by the Government? Answer— I am advised by the Hon John Della Bosca MLC, Minister for Health: This information has been released to the office of the Member for North Shore under the Freedom of Information process. *6431 SCHOOL MAINTENANCE—Mr Peter Debnam asked the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Women— In relation to school maintenance and given your advice that condition assessments of NSW Public Schools were undertaken in late 2008 and will form the basis for all future maintenance programs (Question 5033): (1) What maintenance work is now required at each of the following schools: (a) Bellevue Hill Public School; (b) Bondi Beach Public School; (c) Bondi Public School; (d) Double Bay Public School; (e) Rose Bay Public School; (f) Rose Bay Secondary College; (g) Vaucluse Primary School; (h) Woollahra Public School? (2) By what date will this maintenance work be completed at each school? Answer— The Department of Education and Training's Regional Asset Management Units are currently consulting with principals in relation to a program of works that will be carried out as part of the National School Pride component of the Commonwealth Government's Building the Education Revolution program. The National School Pride program provides funding for maintenance and refurbishment at all schools. Once this process is completed the Department will have a clearer indication of what Condition Based maintenance projects remain outstanding at schools. As the 2009⁄10 funding allocations have not yet been finalised, it is not possible at this stage to indicate the extent of funding that will be allocated to these programs and therefore which projects will be undertaken. *6436 LUPUS ASSOCIATION OF NSW—Mr Victor Dominello asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council— (1) What funding did NSW Health provide to the Lupus Association of NSW during: (a) financial year 2006-07; (b) financial year 2007-08; (c) financial year 2008-09 to date? (2) Are there any plans to increase the level of funding provided in the future? (3) What assistance, other than funding, does NSW Health provide to the Lupus Association of NSW? Answer— I am advised by the Hon John Della Bosca MLC, Minister for Health: (1) and (2) Funding provided to the Lupus Association of NSW is as follows: (a) 2006-07 - $29,900 (b) 2007-08 - $30,900 (c) 2008-09 - $31,900 (3) The NSW Department of Health provides assistance, other than funding, in the form of nominal rent and reduced outgoings for the premises leased by the Lupus Association of NSW at Macquarie Hospital. *6439 WATER FLUORIDATION—Mr Thomas George asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, and Vice President of the Executive Council— In relation to water fluoridation: 6131 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS THURSDAY 18 JUNE 2009 (1) Can water suppliers accurately control the exact levels of fluoride that individuals receive? (2) What are the negative health effects of water fluoridation? (3) Is the mandatory fluoridation of public water supply a breach or violation of ethics and human rights? (4) In the United Kingdom, does the Government refer to fluoride as a poison? (5) Does water fluoridation violate Article 35 of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights? (6) Does water fluoridation violate Article 3 and 8 of the Human Rights Act? (7) Does water fluoridation raise issues under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child? Answer— I am advised by the Hon John Della Bosca MLC, Minister for Health: (1) Yes, with acceptable limits. (2) There are no negative health effects when water is fluoridated at 1 ppm (1 part of fluoride in 1 million parts of water). (3) In NSW, under the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act, fluoridation is not compulsory or mandatory and is only approved upon application for approval or advice from the Director-General of the Department of Health.