Page 1917 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 May 1991
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Public Hospital Beds
MR BERRY: My question is directed to the Minister for Health, and I hope that I can get a more convincing answer out of this Minister than the Chief Minister gave us on the casino issue. It is in relation to the number of hospital beds. This is his favourite topic, and we just want a straight answer in accordance with standing order 118; it would be nice for a change, at least. In this Assembly on Tuesday, 30 April, Mr Duby said - are you listening, Mr Duby?: "Under this Minister" - referring to you, Mr Humphries - "we now have more hospital beds in the ACT than we ever had when Mr Berry was Minister". Mr Humphries, can you tell us how many public hospital beds we have in the ACT at this very moment?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I told Mr Berry only two days ago that I was taking his question on notice and that I would give him an answer on notice; and I will, when I have the information.
Board of Health
MRS NOLAN: Mr Speaker, my question is also to Mr Humphries, in his capacity as Minister for Health. Mr Humphries, can you advise the Assembly what other staffing arrangements are to be put in place in the Board of Health as a result of the recommendations of the Enfield report?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, yes, I can. As members are no doubt aware, the establishment of a position of chief finance officer was a recommendation of the Enfield report. As an interim arrangement, I am advised that the services of Mr Mike Woods have been obtained from ACT Treasury. He will commence duty as the acting chief finance officer from Monday, 6 May, which is next Monday. Mr Woods will be responsible to Mr John Turner, who is the acting chief executive for overall finance management, with a specific charter to take whatever action is necessary to address the financial management issues raised in the Enfield report.
In addition, the board will employ an officer to represent the board's overall interests in the hospital redevelopment project. Ms Annie Austin, who is on loan from the Victorian Public Service, will perform this role initially, reporting directly to Mr Turner. Ms Austin will also commence next Monday. She will assist with the response to the Enfield report. I should stress that these arrangements are temporary and are not intended in any way to pre-empt any organisational changes which might arise out of the Government's consideration of the Enfield report.
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