Page 3800 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 16 October 1991

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

---

HOSPITAL BED NUMBERS - SELECT COMMITTEE
Appointment

MR HUMPHRIES (11.57): Mr Speaker, I move:

That -

(1) a select committee be appointed to inquire into the Government's proposed reduction in bed numbers in the Territory's hospital system and to inquire into and report on the consequences of this proposal with particular reference to

(a) the impact on the quality of patient care;

(b) the impact on available hospital bed numbers;

(c) the impact on hospital waiting lists;

(d) the public/private hospital bed mix;

(e) the appropriate level of bed availability for 1991-92 in public and private hospitals; and

(f) the need to cut health expenditure;

(2) the committee shall report by 12 December 1991;

(3) the committee shall consist of three members;

(4) the majority of members constitutes a quorum of the committee; and

(5) the committee be provided with necessary additional staff, facilities and resources.

I will speak very briefly to this motion, because I would hope that we could conclude debate on it before we rise at 12.30 pm. Of course, health remains a concern to the entire Assembly, and indeed to the whole community, as it has for some considerable time.

The headlines that I read out yesterday in the discussion on the matter of public importance, I think, spoke eloquently for that. The special concern, of course, of this Assembly, and I hope of the Government, is hospital financing. It would be an understatement to say that it remains a matter of some concern, and indeed some danger, to this and future governments.

---

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .