Page 3985 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 16 December 1992
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MRS CARNELL: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister whether he believes that more efficiency means less accessibility. I will quickly read the letter that parents are sent.
It says:
Dear Parent/Guardian, re -
in this case, Claire Carnell -
recall notice.
The staff of the School Dental Clinic would like to remind you that your child is now due for dental examination. We invite you to telephone the clinic on the above number to make a suitable appointment time. Please note that no further reminder notices will be sent. Yours faithfully, ...
Again I ask the Minister: Taking into account that that is the only interface that the parents have with the system, how are you or the service appropriately targeting children who will not get any other dental service and ensuring that they are being accessed?
MR BERRY: This illustrates the flotsam and jetsam of Mrs Carnell's questions. You are demonstrating clearly to us that we have a recall system which works. You got a letter, and you got a phone number.
Mrs Carnell: But it says that no follow-up is being done on people who cannot afford it.
MR BERRY: Okay; then what are you suggesting? That we have two letters, or perhaps three? Essentially, it is a recall system that tells you that you are due. It is targeted - - -
Mrs Carnell: With no targeting. It is a bulk letter. It is not targeting people who cannot afford it.
MR BERRY: It is a system which is designed to make efficient use of resources. I think Mrs Carnell has just demonstrated that it is efficient, because it told her when to bring her child along and how to make an appointment.
Road Safety
MR LAMONT: My question is to Mr Connolly. I draw the Minister's attention to the road trauma normally experienced at this time of year, particularly over the Christmas and New Year break. Could the Minister inform the house whether any increased road safety initiatives will be in place in the ACT over this period?
MR CONNOLLY: I thank Mr Lamont for the question. As is normal around this time of the year, the police have something of a blitz on road safety because of the Christmas break which is rapidly approaching. As is normally the case, there will be an increased use of radar to detect speeding offences and RBT units, including units being out in the early hours of the morning.
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