Page 2342 - Week 07 - Thursday, 17 August 2006
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1 July to 30 April for the 2005-06 year, so three-quarters of that year, CALMS have delivered almost 13,000 consultations, representing an additional 864 consultations when compared with the number they delivered in the 2004-05 year. If these numbers continue, we expect a 30 per cent increase in the end-of-year figure, with an expected 3,500 additional consultations for the 2005-06 period. Consultations at all three clinics—that is, at Tuggeranong, Calvary and Canberra hospitals—have risen.
As members would know, the previous Minister for Health launched the initiative. GP services are available at the hospital-based clinics from 6 pm to 8.30 am from Monday to Friday and over the weekend from 6 pm Friday to 8.30 am Monday. The Tuggeranong clinic operates on weekend afternoons, with all three clinics operating on public holidays.
Previously CALMS provided after-hours GP services only to patients whose GP was a member of CALMS, but under the new model and under the new funding that was provided, CALMS has extended access to all members of the ACT community. So it is available to all residents. We made an election commitment to establish these clinics and we have provided funding to support them. It is particularly pleasing to see the success of this policy, given the derision it received from the opposition when it was introduced. In a press release issued when this policy was introduced, Mr Smyth said:
The Stanhope government has no idea where to turn at present and is itself in internal disaster mode.
I think these figures have proved that statement well and truly wrong. Coupled with the access improvement program, policies like CALMS will continue to take pressure off emergency departments and ensure that all Canberrans have access to quality health care in a timely fashion.
Our decision to fund this model came because of our commitment to address increasing demand for health services in the ACT. Our GP services are facing increasing demand, but it is not just GP services facing pressure. Our hospitals are busier than ever and we are continuing to see that demand for hospital services grow. We have seen for the first time in excess of 9,000 patients accessing elective surgery in one year. That is a record number for the ACT. Never before have 9,000 operations been performed in one year, and we have delivered that in the last financial year. We are also seeing significant increases in demand for outpatient services, mental health and community health services. We will continue to do all that we can to develop robust, innovative and successful initiatives such as CALMS to address the continuing demand for health services in the ACT.
MS PORTER: I seek to ask the minister a supplementary question. I thank the minister for her answer. I was very pleased to ask her the first question.
Mrs Dunne: Preamble, Mr Speaker.
MS PORTER: I am getting to it. You mentioned increased demand for GP services in the ACT.
Mrs Dunne: We still have preamble, Mr Speaker.
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