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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2724 ..

in 2001-02. Because many of them work part time the number of full time workload equivalent GP's was 212.

(2) GPs are private practitioners and billing practices are the decision of individual General Practitioners, therefore the ACT Government does not have access to this information.

(3) This information is not available.

Canberra Hospital-paediatric ward

(Question No 807)

Mr Smyth asked the Minister for Health, upon notice:

In relation to the paediatric ward at The Canberra Hospital:

(1) How many beds are available in this ward;

(2) What is the monthly average occupancy rate in the ward for the last 12 months;

(3) On how many occasions has this ward been understaffed in the last 12 months;

(4) On how many occasions has this ward been understaffed meaning no more admissions can be taken in the last 12 months;

(5) What facilities are provided for parents who wish to remain with their children overnight.

Mr Corbell

(1) The numbers of beds are seasonal and based on historical data pertaining to occupancy. The Summer numbers are 20 beds over the Christmas period and 24 beds from January 6^th - February 24^th. From February 24^th the bed numbers increase to 28. From May 10^th the Winter bed numbers come into place with a total of 40 beds available.

(2) The monthly average occupancy rate for Paediatrics in the last 12 months ranged from 99% in September 2002 to 60% in April 2003.

(3) The Paediatric ward has been fully staffed to cover the number of beds over the last 12 months and has been able to deal with demand for beds. There have been a few occasions when due to unplanned leave, difficulty with finding replacements or cancellation of surgery when there has been excessive demand on the service due to admissions through the Emergency Department.

(4) There have been no occasions when we have not taken admissions via the Emergency Department.

(5) There are bedside foldout beds provided for parents to sleep next to their children at night. Parent accommodation with overnight rooms is available including a lounge with tea and coffee making facilities, which is due to be upgraded. There is also accommodation available in the Residences at the hospital for those families coming from interstate. Parents can utilise the facilities available at the hospital.

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