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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 05 Hansard (Tuesday, 4 May 2004) . . Page.. 1740 ..

Vocational education and training receives $9.5 million over four years for the introduction of a training pathway guarantee for school leavers and additional resources to meet the increased demand for apprenticeship and trainee places in the territory.

Health

Mr Speaker, this is another strong budget for health. This budget demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to the Canberra social plan objective of improving the health of all Canberrans.

An impressive $11.4 million over four years is provided for three additional beds in the intensive care unit at the Canberra Hospital. The funding will also provide for support services. This will reduce elective surgery cancellations due to demand for emergency intensive care.

Elective surgery is also boosted, with $17 million over four years to add a further three surgeons to the roster. Capacity will be increased over the winter peak period, with $1.26 million provided over the next four years.

Cataract and joint replacement surgery will increase by approximately 190 per annum, with $4.153 million over four years.

The home and community care program will receive $3.384 million over four years. The program supports an increasing number of aged people to remain at home to prevent inappropriate or early admission to nursing homes. It also assists young people with a disability.

Drug and alcohol programs are boosted, with $1.62 million over four years. This includes $562,000 over four years to identify and implement school education alcohol and drug programs. Other initiatives include compliance testing and education regarding tobacco sales and the development of clear protocols for a case management framework across alcohol and other drug services.

Mr Speaker, mental health is a key priority area for the government. The budget provides $1.373 million over four years for suicide prevention. The budget provides another $624,000 over four years to the Gungahlin outreach service for child and adolescent mental health services.

Mental health forensic services will be expanded with the establishment of a forensic community case management team. Funding of $300,000 will support a specialist clinical management team to provide specific mental health services for clients who have been released by the courts back into the community. Magistrates will now have for the first time options outside the Belconnen Remand Centre and the psychiatric services unit for some clients who have offended and are diagnosed with a mental illness.

A further $60,000 has been provided for a feasibility study into the viability of an adolescent inpatient facility for the ACT.

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