Page 1850 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 30 May 1990
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forefront of current social and political issues locally, nationally and internationally. Nurses are undertaking the responsibility, like other areas of the community, to do more, and teach more, about our environment. Nurses are encouraged to raise greater awareness among members, colleagues and the public at large of environmental concerns and their detrimental effects on the health of the population.
The ACT chapter of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, sponsored a nurses breakfast, held on Friday, 11 May this year, which I was very pleased to attend. More than 100 nurses from all areas of the private and public sectors of the health and armed services attended. The theme for the ACT centred around "Nursing - Our Diverse Roles". The representation of a range of ACT nurses at this function was a reminder of the diversity of nursing within the ACT community.
There are a number of issues which currently affect the nursing profession in the ACT. These include the nursing career structure review for both community and hospital nurses, including Calvary Hospital. The early review was initiated by this Government, and an independent panel is due to report to me by 31 May this year. I understand submissions have been forwarded to the panel from a broad spectrum of interested parties, including my department and the relevant unions. I have also had the chance to discuss with the review panel the issues that are being raised as part of this process.
Structural efficiency agreement issues, such as roster trials at both Royal Canberra Hospital and Woden Valley Hospital, will be of great interest to all nursing staff. Shortages of nurses continue to be experienced in some specialist areas - for example, operating theatres. Shortages in specialist areas are not unique to the ACT. Hospitals management has met with the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Training to explore the potential for providing short courses. The courses would be specifically aimed at attracting specialist nurses back into the work force.
Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to mention that nurses, who comprise a large section of the health care work force in the ACT, are a most valued resource in the delivery of health care to the ACT community and surrounding regions. I present the following paper:
International Nurses Day - ministerial statement, 30 May 1990.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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