Page 292 - Week 01 - Thursday, 16 February 2006
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(5) People have a right to choose where they will be treated and by whom. I am informed that the patient referred to in the story on ‘Stateline’ on Friday, 18 November 2005 had been followed up regularly by one of our Haematologists at Calvary Hospital and was last reviewed by him on 16 August 2005. When services in the Haematology Clinic at Calvary were suspended due to the illness of the Haematologist conducting the clinic there, this patient was offered the opportunity to attend for follow up in the Haematology Clinic at The Canberra Hospital, but did not choose to take up this offer.
(6) The patient was offered the opportunity to attend for follow up in the Haematology Clinic at The Canberra Hospital, but did not take up the offer.
(7) The ‘Stateline’ story included a quote from an interviewee stating that Port Macquarie could attract Haematologists and that the ACT cannot. Our efforts to date indicate that we can attract a range of specialists and have put a range on initiatives to ensure we are competitive when seeking to recruit medical specialists. However, medical specialists take a whole range of factors into account when deciding to live in the ACT, Port Macquarie or elsewhere. I do not believe that the ‘Stateline’ story implied that Port Macquarie could attract Haematologists and that the ACT cannot.
(8) Recent years have seen a significant expansion in the number of Medical Specialists in the ACT. However, the Government continues to review the adequacy of the supply of Medical Specialists for the ACT and their working conditions. In the 2004-2005 budget, additional funds were supplied for additional Specialists including funds for an additional Haematologist, as part of growth funds for Cancer Services. In addition, the advent of the new ANU Medical School has been an important factor in attracting more high calibre medical staff to the ACT. The ANU medical school offers increased opportunities for academic, research and teaching pursuits. These are often significant factors which contribute to attraction and retention of qualified medical staff.
Karralika redevelopment
(Question No 798)
Mr Smyth asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 23 November 2005:
(1) What is the current status of the Karralika redevelopment project;
(2) What was delivered for the $124 000 expended as at the end of the 2004-05 financial year in capital funding for departmental work in progress regarding the Karralika redevelopment;
(3) Is the Karralika Consultative Committee still undertaking work for the Government regarding the redevelopment project; if so, what work is currently being undertaken by that group; if not, why not.
Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The Government has not announced a decision in relation to the Karralika redevelopment.
(2) The $124 000 expenditure reported in 2004-05 delivered the following:
• $600 May and Russell Architect - work commissioned by ACT Health in 2003/2004 in relation to the original proposal, paid in 2004/2005
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