Page 228 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 30 May 1989
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contributions from all sectors of the community, particularly the trade unions, played a part in shaping the recommendations of Dr Kearney's report.
In line with this Government's commitment to support and encourage active participation in the direction and administration of the ACT public hospital system at all levels, I have appointed Mr Charles McDonald, Secretary-Treasurer of the Trades and Labour Council of the ACT, and Ms Prue Power, Secretary of the Canberra branch of the Australian Nursing Federation, to the committee. Both new members will bring a broad range of experience in health issues to the committee and ensure that the interests of the community generally are adequately represented.
In addition, their membership will ensure that management of the impact on hospital staff of any proposed changes is properly considered. I am confident that the broad range of expertise within the membership will ensure that issues such as access by the community to services, capital and recurrent costs, the nature and quality of services which should be provided, and the need to plan effectively now in order to provide comprehensive services to the ACT community in the future are all addressed with the best interests of the community in mind.
To familiarise Mr McDonald and Ms Power with progress to date, I have arranged for the general manager of the ACT Community and Health Service to provide them with full access to the committee's earlier decisions. These briefings will assist both new members to make an immediate and effective contribution to the committee's deliberations and its final report.
I am keen to progress this matter because I am acutely aware of the uncertainty being experienced by both hospital clients and staff. However, while I recognise that the addition of two new members may delay the steering committee's final report, the report itself will be enhanced by their contribution. I wish to assure the community that the delay will not be significant.
The report will represent the most potentially far-reaching study of public hospital needs ever undertaken in the ACT. It will have a significant impact on the provision of both public and private hospital beds in the ACT for the foreseeable future. Once I have received the report, I will ensure that appropriate consultation regarding the steering committee's recommendations is undertaken, and I look forward to presenting the report to the Assembly to facilitate the process.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition), by leave: Mr Speaker, I really have to state my concern - I think it is a concern of a lot of people in a lot of organisations in the community - at this change in the constitution of this steering committee on public hospital redevelopment at this stage of the inquiry. Following Mr Berry's logic on this
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