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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 06 Hansard (Wednesday, 23 June 2004) . . Page.. 2478 ..

That is the very point that Mr Smyth was making in his opening remarks. The report continues:

8.8 Concerns were raised with individual Members by staff—

that is, staff at the hospital—

that the decision to close RILU had been taken, although the Minister told the Committee that Hospital management were to meet with stakeholders, and brief him fully, before this decision was to be made.

It certainly seems that if he had not made it then—which we query—he certainly seems to have done so now, from his comments today. The committee made two recommendations, which were disagreed to by Mr Hargreaves and Ms MacDonald, government members. The first recommendation states:

9.9 The Committee recommends that the Minister for Health ensure that the proposed changes to the Rehabilitation and Independent Living Unit will not compromise the outcomes for rehabilitation patients in any way and if this cannot be done, not to proceed with the changes.

Nothing could be clearer. Quite clearly, we have not been satisfied that the outcomes will not be compromised. They will be significantly compromised. Our final recommendation is:

10.10 The Committee recommends that the Minister for Health does not proceed with the proposed changes to the Rehabilitation and Independent Living Unit without informing the Assembly.

Also, I read into the transcript of the estimates hearing a minute from Mark Bassett, the Deputy General Manager, and Lauren Yen, which has been tabled, about co-locating nursing home patients within TCH. It states:

Some of you will be aware that many options have been discussed and considered for the co-location of nursing home patients within the TCH. The Commonwealth government has provided access to funding for financial assistance for flexible care waiting for placement beds.

It appears, after significant consideration, that RILU is the preferred site based on many considerations, including acceptability of the Commonwealth to fund such a facility. Co-locating these patients in one area of the hospital would have a number of significant benefits. It would firstly improve the welfare and care of nursing home patients for providing an appropriate environment to meet their needs.

Other benefits would include the ability to focus services for this particular patient group. It is essential that consideration needs to be given to the number of beds for rehabilitation inpatients within the main hospital block in order to continue to provide a viable rehabilitation service. Management of TCH and Community Health will be meeting with all key stakeholders to discuss the implications of this decision within the next week.

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