Page 1524 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 May 1990
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Jindalee Nursing Home
MR WOOD: I direct a question to the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts. In the Government's announced plan to close the Royal Canberra Hospital it stated that the Jindalee Nursing Home will be relocated on that site. Since this relocation is against the Federal Government's guidelines for nursing homes, what negotiations have taken place to overcome the differences and ensure Federal Government approval?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, the question is hypothetical. I thank the member for it. I have naturally had the suggestion put to me over a period by many people, particularly from the Opposition, that the transfer of Jindalee Nursing Home to that site would breach Federal Government guidelines. It would be extraordinarily remiss of me not to have had that brought to my attention.
I have looked at that issue and I am completely satisfied that there is no conflict between the Federal guidelines and our proposal to take the home to that site. Certainly there are recommended features of locations for nursing homes, and Jindalee or its substitute on the Royal Canberra site would not be as near to some facilities as one might like in ideal circumstances - I acknowledge that - but neither is the present site of the Jindalee Nursing Home. I think we can significantly improve the quality of services being offered with this transfer.
I affirm once again, to put to one side completely and utterly any doubt in Mr Wood's mind, that there is no conflict between those guidelines and our proposals, and I think he will see when the time comes that the proposal is a major upgrading of facilities available for people at that site.
MR WOOD: I wish to ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Does Mr Humphries intend to consult with the relevant Federal department to make sure that there are no foul-ups on this?
MR HUMPHRIES: My understanding is that that consultation has already occurred, that it was direct contact between the Federal department and the ACT department that settled that question. However, if that is not the case, I will be happy to get back to Mr Wood with further details of what we will be doing in that regard.
Healthy Lunch Program
MRS NOLAN: Mr Humphries is doing so well on his feet that I will ask him yet another question in his capacity as
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