Page 2465 - Week 07 - Thursday, 4 August 2022
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While vaccinations, PPE and RATs have been and remain our strongest line of defence in halting the spread of COVID-19, in order to reach peak effectiveness, they must be coupled with targeted communications featuring information and advice on COVID, specific services, supports and how these can be accessed. We do this through a range of traditional and social media sources, government networks, community partner connections, webinars and newsletters to the sector.
I would like to particularly thank COTA ACT, ADACAS, Advocacy for Inclusion, Carers ACT, the members of the Disability Reference Group, Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing, and Ministerial Advisory Council for Veterans and their Families, and many others in our community sector for all they do to support accurate and accessible information being shared throughout their networks. Direct and appropriate communications to those most at risk from COVID and their carers about testing and accessing medical treatment, including antivirals—early, if required—including to older Canberrans and those with underlying health conditions, is making a real difference.
We also continue to work with the commonwealth government in support of NDIS clients, including supporting people to get home from hospital faster with appropriate supports in place. The work we have done in the ACT so far has helped both the ACT and the commonwealth government to better understand what is needed to get NDIS plans in place quickly for people who are clinically ready to leave hospital. I am hopeful that we will continue to see improvement in NDIA processes and their ability to work with CHS and the ACT Office for Disability. I particularly note the difference it has made when our ACT Health and Community Services staff have been able to provide complex case management support, and that this is more often about navigating bureaucracy than specialist housing options.
It is when there are people in our community going through a difficult time that we see what it really means to be a Canberran. There are things that all of us can do to protect the ones we love, our neighbours and those most at risk. Getting fully boosted for both COVID and influenza is a superpower that we can use like an invisible shield to reduce transmission of the virus.
I thank the hardworking staff at the access and sensory clinic in Weston for their continued efforts to make it as easy as possible for people with disability and their carers to be vaccinated, and the hardworking staff at Winnunga for their work in making sure people know how to access antivirals, as well as being vaccinated and getting tested.
Not all superheroes wear capes, but everyone who wears a mask is a superhero. Working from home where we can and catching up with friends and family in outdoor settings—hopefully, on days with better weather than today—is a great way to stay engaged with work and connected to our community without increasing COVID risk.
On a final note, I would like to reflect on the “we” I have mentioned in speaking to this Assembly on our approaches to provision and safety and testing materials. By “we”, I mean ACT government directorates and staff working in unison with our incredible network of community partners. I know every member of this Assembly is
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