Page 5129 - Week 17 - Wednesday, 12 December 1990
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standards of quality assurance and that they would join with the Government in getting cooperation from the medical profession to ensure that that is provided for.
Last week the AMA raised objections to clauses 41, 42 and 43 of the Bill. The Government has agreed to delete those provisions after having been formally notified of the AMA's support for the concept of participation by all medical practitioners in quality assurance activities, and the association's commitment to work with the new Board of Health to establish an adequate program of quality assurance in our public hospitals by the middle of next year.
I am satisfied by that assurance, Mr Speaker. I believe that it will meet the standards set by the Government and, as a result, I am prepared to acquiesce to the request from the AMA to delete those provisions.
Mr Berry: You folded.
MR HUMPHRIES: You were not even listening to what was going on, Mr Berry; you were talking to Mrs Grassby. You would not know what I said. I could have said that a bolt of lightning came from heaven and told me that I should delete those provisions. You would not know.
The provisions of the Bill, Mr Speaker, will change the face of health services in the ACT, and they will ensure the highest level of accountability, both managerial and professional. I am confident that this will lead to further advances in the development of high quality health services for the people of Canberra and for surrounding regions. That is the principle behind which this Government firmly stands. We will do our best to ensure that the hospital system receives the support it needs. We have demonstrated that through our commitment to providing for a better infrastructure for hospital services in the ACT, and we are now following that up with appropriate legislation to underpin the activities of a new, more powerful and more relevant ACT Board of Health.
MR MOORE (5.10): Mr Speaker, I understand that Mr Humphries has closed the debate at this particular time and that I can either speak in the detail stage or seek leave to speak now. Mr Humphries would then, of course, have the opportunity to take account of my remarks in the detail stage. I seek leave to speak now.
Leave granted.
MR MOORE: It is delightful to have such an enthusiastic response from both sides of the house when I stand to speak.
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