Page 2659 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 21 September 2022
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education, training, research and innovation; and developing and embedding the lived experience workforce.
This strategy allows us to coordinate new and existing efforts across the ACT government and to bring us together under a shared purpose and direction. The approach will allow us to identify the current strengths of the system, the pressure points and where there are gaps to inform where our future efforts and investments should be.
In developing this strategy, we consulted broadly across the ACT mental health sector. We heard from clinicians, service providers, the community-managed sector, universities, unions, professional associations, and royal colleges on what should be reflected in the strategy. We took a broad definition of the workforce, in acknowledgement that there are a range of mental health clinicians, allied health and community supports that come together to support the mental health needs of our community.
We heard that there is a need to implement further efforts towards attracting and retaining a skilled workforce in the ACT to address the increasing demands on mental health services. We also heard that to support the wellbeing of the mental health workforce, people need to feel valued and safe.
Ms Orr: Mr Assistant Speaker, on a point of order.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Pettersson): Ms Davidson, can you resume your seat? Ms Orr.
Ms Orr: I am trying to listen to Ms Davidson’s statement. However, Ms Lee and Mr Parton are having what seems to be quite an interesting conversation.
Ms Lee: Do you want to come and join us?
Ms Orr: I would like you to keep it down so that I can hear Minister Davidson.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Ms Orr, that is a good observation. I ask all members to please listen in silence.
MS DAVIDSON: We heard that there is a need to implement further efforts towards attracting and retaining a skilled workforce in the ACT, to address the increasing demands on mental health services. We also heard that, to support the wellbeing of the mental health workforce, people need to feel valued and safe. Greater opportunities to continue professional development, including research to enhance delivery of care and ensure that we are delivering services according to best practice was another theme that emerged.
The ACT strategy also acknowledges the role of community-managed support and services. During consultations, we heard that the community-managed workforce faces many of the same challenges as the clinical workforce. We have responded by making a commitment in the strategy to explore reforms in the community-managed
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