Page 764 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 29 March 2006
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Opposition members interjecting—
MR HARGREAVES: I thank Mr Stefaniak for the advice, but not as much as I thank Ms Porter for the question.
Mrs Burke: You were there, weren’t you?
MR HARGREAVES: Don’t get too carried away, Acting Leader of the Opposition. Oh dear, another client for Therapy ACT. Mr Speaker, as many members are aware, Therapy ACT provides a range of services to members of our community who have developmental delays or disabilities. These services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work and psychology services, to name a few. Therapy ACT provides services to a range of age groups from birth to 65. These services, which are free to Canberrans—you are right there, Mr Stefaniak; they are free to people like your good self—aim to enhance people’s quality of life and change their lives for the better.
In 2004 a review of therapy services in the ACT recommended that Therapy ACT restructure into age-based teams and provide services from northside and southside hubs in the ACT. With this in mind, the Stanhope government has committed $1.5 million in capital works so far to achieve this objective. Last week we moved closer to this goal with the establishment of Therapy ACT’s new northside hub in Swanson Plaza, Belconnen. The new hub is purpose built and will benefit clients, their families and carers—as well as our staff—through state-of-the-art, modern and appropriate surroundings. The convenience of the new location also allows our clients and their families to combine therapy services with other activities such as going to the library, the health centre, the Canberra Connect shopfront or other shops. It is also close to the bus interchange.
The opening was a great occasion, with about 80 people from various organisations, including Technical Aid to the Disabled (ACT) and the Spastic Centre, attending, as well as many clients who were excited to be receiving services in their new surroundings. Therapy ACT staff tell me they have received many positive comments from clients about the new premises. The event enabled everyone to tour the new facilities and look at some of the equipment on display from the new equipment assessment and trial service which the Stanhope government funded in last year’s budget.
The move to Swanson Plaza has also allowed an opportunity to change the way the services are delivered. Therapy services now cater for various age groups through age-based teams. There are two early childhood teams, two school-age teams and an adult team. This is the fulfilment of another goal set through the 2004 review.
The establishment of the northside hub is a significant step towards consolidating and improving the way we deliver our therapy services. I am happy to report to members that work has already commenced on improvements to our southside hub at Holder to consolidate therapy services for Canberrans on the south side of Canberra. I again thank Ms Porter for the question.
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