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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 7 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 2344 ..

MR CORNWELL

(continuing):

Mr Corbell accused me of a beat-up when I made this matter public, but I didn't take the figure of 60 beds, Mr Speaker; I took the figure that was given to me in estimates by an officer of Mr Corbell's department, who said that perhaps 20 to 30 people might be able to use such beds. I based it upon not the 60 beds but the 30 beds. It worked out some $12 million had been lost over 18 months.

That money has been lost to the hospital system because the people who didn't need to be in a hospital bed have been in one, which means that other people who should have been in a hospital bed have not. Never mind about waiting lists or waiting times-

Mrs Burke

: How shocking.

MR CORNWELL

: Yes, how shocking indeed, as Mrs Burke said. In other words, people who should have been in a hospital bed were denied that opportunity because we are arguing about a siting arrangement for these 65 beds. I understand that there was a discussion with Calvary because they wished to expand the 65 beds to a higher figure. The minister might like to confirm this at some later time, if he responds to our comments.

The fact remains that 18 months is too long to wait on this matter, and something should have happened. We are now told, however, not only that there has been an 18 months delay but also it is not likely that Calvary Healthcare will be able to have this facility operational in the 2003-2004 financial year. So what are we looking at now-another 18 months, another $12 million, Mr Speaker? $24 million down the drain on beds in hospitals. I can only assume that is going to be the case because I haven't heard anything to the contrary.

In addition to that scandal, we have the question-and I applauded the decision-of $5.15 million being allocated for a sub and non-acute aged care facility. I applauded that; I think it's an excellent idea. It was suggested by the Estimates Committee that, given that the 65 beds at Calvary have not been taken up for 18 months and will not be taken up presumably for another 18 months-that's three years-every endeavour be made to adhere to or improve upon the December 2004 completion date, which was the date provided by the government for this facility to provide sub and non-acute aged care services.

However, the government response to the Estimates Committee is:

The design for this project will be commenced in the first quarter of the 2003-04 financial year ... should be completed by the end of 2004.

However, the sub and non-acute facility is not an aged care facility. It will contain 20 psycho geriatric beds and 40 rehabilitation beds. The purpose of the facility is to provide rehabilitation services to people who no longer require "acute"rehabilitation that is provided in the Rehabilitation ward at the Canberra Hospital or the services provided at the Rehabilitation Independent Living Unit at Gaunt Place. It will not be a long-term accommodation option.

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