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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 4 Hansard (27 March) . . Page.. 984 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

proper to put on record my congratulations-I would hope I echo the thoughts of everyone in this Assembly-for the prompt action by those three fine young men, which could have saved a person's life, or at least prevented serious injury.

Canberra Hospital-equipment

MR MOORE (Minister for Health, Housing and Community Services) (5.51), in reply: I take this opportunity to respond to the issue that Mr Berry raised about the high-tech cast. My responsibility in the public health system is to ensure that we can treat as many people as we possibly can with the best health care. A high-tech cast might be very convenient for somebody who likes having a high-tech cast because they can wash through it, or whatever the case is. That is interesting, and I can understand why people would choose such a cast. But if an ordinary cast is much cheaper and still delivers the same outcome, then we have to think twice about moving to high-tech casts.

That said, I do not mind checking to see whether what Mr Berry said is the case. I think that is really what Mr Berry is asking for. My guess is that the answer will be that the traditional method, the low-tech cast, delivers as good a health outcome, even though it is not quite so convenient. If that is the case, then we will not be looking at any change.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Assembly adjourned at 5.52 pm

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