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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 9 Hansard (5 September) . . Page.. 2879 ..

MR RUGENDYKE: Yes, Mr Speaker. Minister, you have agreed that you are aware of this report. Can you assure the community that the budget considerations will not be met by sacrificing staff or a further rationing of services?

MR MOORE: I think it is quite possible that some staff will leave and will not be replaced. The decision will be made by the Canberra Hospital. The sort of staff who will leave and not be replaced are administrative staff in particular. In fact, I received a letter from the health and community care board in the last couple of days-I just read it at lunchtime today-raising this issue and highlighting for me that when we talk about administrative staff we are often talking about staff who are right throughout the hospital, not administrative staff who are sitting in a little office there. It is the secretaries to the doctors and professors who run a whole series of support work in the hospital.

Some people would say that they are just not necessary. Certainly, if we compare the number of administrative staff of that kind with those in other hospitals, we will find that we carry more than most hospitals. But it is a teaching hospital and some of the duties of, particularly, the professors, lecturers and associate professors who are involved in research as well as teaching other doctors as part of the clinical school do require extra support.

Each time we remove one of those people, there is some impact on the hospital and there becomes a point at which improved efficiency will have an impact on patient care. The overriding direction of the hospital is to get the most efficient health services possible, because the more efficient they are the more we can deliver, but not at the cost of patient care. Our number one focus is on patient care. I think that was recognised when the hospital received its accreditation as one of the best hospitals in Australia.

Ms Carnell: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I have a small amount of extra information on Mr Quinlan's question. I am advised that the Auditor-General has been able to provide my department with final versions of the proposed reports in the last few days; to be precise, 30 and 31 August and 5 September.

MR SMYTH: Ms Tucker asked me last week about the renovation of Northbourne Flats and I have some additional information. The background, for the information of members, is that in early 1999 ACT Housing appointed Totalcare Facility Management as the project coordinators. Totalcare provided undated written advice to all tenants of the flats complex that major work would be undertaken to replace the roof on all blocks at the complex and extensive sewerage and drainage rehabilitation. Tenants were also provided with a proposed timetable for the commencement of work in the various blocks. The work was commenced in March 1999 and completed in November 1999.

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