Page 597 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Mr Berry: Of course it was different; it was the Chief Minister that was making the accusation.
MR SPEAKER: Order! The statement was made directly against a single person in the form of - - -
Mr Berry: Well, I have the view that he is deliberately misleading the Assembly. If he is upset by that, I will withdraw it.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I reaffirm that the Government's policy is to provide people in areas where they are required, and I can assure you that no deliberate policy is being adopted of turning away people who qualify and who apply for positions in the ACT health system, which seems to be the implication Mr Berry is delivering.
Services for the Elderly
MS MAHER: My question is also directed to the Minister for Health. The Minister's press release on 18 February refers to additional funding for the geriatric assessment team in the ACT and for additional staff to operate a respite booking service. What are the implications of these measures and what additional services will actually be available to the elderly in Canberra?
MR HUMPHRIES: I thank Ms Maher for the question, asking me to expand a little on the information which has been provided in this area. I am pleased to note her interest at least in the area of geriatric services in the ACT. The Commonwealth Government, as part of its aged care policy, has given the States and Territories funds to establish geriatric assessment teams or to enhance these teams where they have already existed.
The ACT has been operating a geriatric assessment team since the early 1980s and received funding two years ago to enhance its team. This financial year it received $179,500, with 5.5 equivalent full-time staff. This is additional to funds spent by the Territory on geriatric services, which is approximately $300,000 for 6.5 staff.
Mr Berry: You are not going to get the good mail by going out on the grog with Whalan.
MR HUMPHRIES: The primary role of the geriatric assessment team is to assess elderly people to ensure that they receive appropriate care.
Mr Speaker, I have been interjected on continually since I began to answer questions this afternoon. I ask for your protection against Mr Berry in particular.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .