Page 2008 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 8 September 1992
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Health Complaints Unit
MRS CARNELL: My question is also to the Minister for Health, Mr Berry. The Minister has listed legislation to set up an independent complaints unit and subsequent changes to professional registration Acts as a first priority on his legislative program. With regard to these legislative changes, whom has the Minister consulted with? When did these consultations take place, and how were they conducted?
MR BERRY: The independent complaints unit is a matter which was of significance to the Labor Party when it decided upon that particular policy. We promised in the last election that we would deliver an independent complaints unit in the ACT and we will deliver on that promise. Mrs Carnell asked whom we have consulted. We have consulted with the AMA at this point.
Mrs Carnell: That is not what they said this morning.
MR BERRY: She is getting a bit twitchy now. We will, of course, consult further. We informed those members of the AMA who came to see me in my office about that and other matters that we would be issuing a discussion paper in relation to the matter and there would be plenty of time to discuss all of the issues about that important aspect of health service delivery in the ACT.
Mr Humphries: The AMA is one. Who else?
Mrs Carnell: The AMA, no; he has not consulted them.
MR BERRY: The gaggle opposite do not seem to be able to sit quietly long enough to take in the whole story. As I have said, there will be a discussion paper issued to the community. The timing will be set by the Government and there will be plenty of consultation. Even the pharmacists whom Mrs Carnell spends so much time representing will be consulted if they wish to be. If she does not want to be consulted about the issue, if she feels that her particular pharmacy would be at risk as a result of a complaints unit, she should raise the issue with the Government.
Mrs Carnell: In other words, you have done nothing.
MR BERRY: Mrs Carnell raves again, "You have done nothing". Firstly, we have decided on the policy. The discussion paper will be out for consultation soon and you will be suitably impressed. Again this is the Government getting on with its agenda to ensure that in the ACT we have better health services, unlike the time when the ACT had the misfortune of a Liberal government.
Ms Follett: Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Mr Stevenson: Madam Speaker, I seek leave to extend question time.
Leave not granted.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .