Page 174 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 8 December 2004
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Dedicated theatres for laparoscopy have been shown to bring about a 60 per cent increase in theatre efficiency and a major increase in day-stay procedure. Laparoscopy surgery has significant benefits for patients, with reduced pain, reduced complications and quicker recovery time,
The dedicated multidisciplinary simulation centre will create, at the Canberra Hospital, a learning facility to help train students, professionals and trainees in surgery, anaesthetics, nursing, physiotherapy and medicine. The skills simulation centre will provide a variety of hands-on, practical training and performance assessment in the promotion of the highest standards of health care. The centre will concentrate on team simulation, where practitioners from several disciplines will be able to demonstrate their abilities to work together in a trauma or acutely ill scenario.
In relation to maternity services, the government will shortly be making its response to the report of the inquiry into ACT maternity services by the Assembly’s last Standing Committee on Health. The inquiry covered a range of issues relating to the planning and provision of maternity services, and the government response will comprehensively address its recommendations.
In the area of diabetes, the government is in the final stages of a review of diabetes services, with the purpose of improving the integration of diabetes services in the ACT. The review is seeking to identify ways in which diabetes services can be better integrated in providing services to people with diabetes.
In strengthening primary health care services, we will be focusing strongly on making sure that our primary health care services remain the first point of contact that most people have with the health system and are central to maintaining people’s health and providing support for people with chronic and less serious health conditions.
ACT Health is currently developing a primary care strategy to strengthen primary health care services in the ACT, focusing on better care for people with chronic illness, continuity of care between hospital and community-based health services and promoting and maintaining health. In this regard, the government has committed an additional $2 million per annum in its election commitments to improve health care, health promotion and disease prevention activities. We will also continue with the implementation, in partnership with the Canberra After Hours Locum Medical Service, and establishment of new after-hours clinics at the Canberra Hospital and Calvary Hospital. These clinics are expected to open early next year.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health remains a key priority for the government. The overall health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia is significantly worse than that of the general population, and this situation is regrettably similar in the ACT. Over the past three years, the ACT government established a range of initiatives to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples, including a midwifery program to provide support for Aboriginal mothers; a hearing health program to reduce hearing problems arising from ear infections among Aboriginal children; support services for Aboriginal people with mental health and drug and alcohol problems; and support for the relocation of the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service to larger premises in the Narrabundah Health Centre. Over the coming term, the
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