Media Release | 3 July 2025
Libby Mettam
Shadow Health Minister
Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam says our health system is ill equipped to deal with the current flu season and the Cook Labor Government needs to step up and reassure Western Australians there will be care if they need it.
“The Health Minister is more interested in using the distressing level of flu in the community as an excuse for ambulance ramping than she is in making sure Western Australians get the treatment they need,” Ms Mettam said.
“We are seeing some very worrying numbers and we are still in the early stages of the flu season.
“What is the Cook Labor Government doing to deal with the potential disaster coming down the line at us, other than tell us that’s why ramping is bad?”
Ms Mettam said the Cook Government should be telling the public what contingency plans it is going to roll out to deal with such a serious flu outbreak.
“The Government needs to take urgent action to increase ED capacity, to create surge capacity in our hospital bed numbers, to roster more staff and to free up ambulances from hospital driveways,” she said.
“Other than asking Western Australians to make sure they’re vaccinated we’ve had no action plan or reassurances from the Minister.
“Parents, the elderly and those who are vulnerable because of underlying health issues really want to know what the Government is doing to deal with this disaster.”
Ms Mettam said Western Australians don’t want to hear that they might not be able to get an ambulance in an emergency because of the flu disaster.”
“Now is the time for whatever you can throw at this issue Minister, don’t simply stand there and wring your hands.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Denice Rice 0417 755 17
