Page 6419 - Week 19 - Tuesday, 17 December 1991
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GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE REPORT ON HOSPITAL BED NUMBERS
I made it clear in the debate in the Assembly which led to the establishment of this Committee that I regarded it as a political stunt. After reading the Report of the Committee I am still firmly of the same view.
The Committees report proves my point to this Assembly that the quality of a hospital system cannot be measured or judged on such a simplistic criterion as bed numbers.
The Committees examination of the complexities of health services planning, budgeting and delivery can only be described as cursory and its recommendations demonstrate this.
The evidence presented to the committee has been interpreted selectively by the majority to achieve the main agenda (the obsession of the Former Liberal Minister for Health) - that of getting a new private hospital built. I will deal with this issue in more detail later.
I will firstly address the specific recommendations of the report.
In relation to bed numbers
Recommendations
the Board of Health, in conjunction with the Government,
consider its program of bed reductions as a matter of
urgency. (4.45)
the Board reassess its long term strategy for bed numbers
to the year 2000 to take into account the low
bed/population ratio existing in the ACT at the
commencement of the bed cuts. (7.13)
the Board provide a detailed rationale to Government
before closing any intensive care beds. (4.21)
a detailed study be undertaken of the impact on nursing
homes and hostels in the ACT consequential upon any
reduction in the number of acute and long term stay
hospital beds in the ACT. Further the Committee
recommends that nursing homes and hostels operating
within the ACT be involved in the study and invited to
participate in discussions. (4.31)
Response
The Board of Health has developed a bed management strategy which it has recommended to Government. That strategy is under constant review. It seeks to ensure that services are maintained while complying with the Governments requirement to contain costs within our health system.
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