Page 2211 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 28 August 2007
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He goes on to say that suggestions that the health system is “tearing itself apart, lacks innovative leadership and is devoid of tangible service standards” “denigrate the exceptional efforts … and the tireless work of our health professionals in building an efficient and effective health system”.
This statement again twisted what was actually said. At this point, for the record and to correct the matter, it is probably worth pointing out what was actually said by the opposition. I am moving to volume 2 of the report, Additional comments and dissenting report, on page 39 under “Health.” The Chief Minister is clutching at straws and trying to deflect from the fact that our medical professionals and allied professionals are perhaps not receiving the support they need and deserve. More importantly, the citizens of Canberra are being sold short when it comes to health service and health delivery outcomes. In no way—you will hear in a minute what I have to say—does what the opposition had to say denigrate the exceptional efforts and tireless work of our health professionals.
This seems to be an ongoing theme with some members of the government—to try and engage the opposition in some sort of nasty little debate that says, “Oh, you’re going for the people.” The government will confuse the debate by saying, “You’re targeting people. You’re being horrible to our people.” I have had it done to me with public housing tenants. Actually, I am standing up for the people, and the government knows that. It is a disappointment that we have got such grovelling games being played at an executive level.
I will read from page 39 of the additional comments. The title of the section is “One stop shop”. This was the recommendation:
The repeated failure of the Minister—
not the staff, not health professionals, not anybody else: the minister—
to acknowledge the crisis in ACT Health, coupled with a 2007/2008 Health Budget in excess of $800M AUD and Territory Health Outcomes lagging behind the rest of Australia is clear evidence of a Health system that is tearing itself apart, lacks innovative leadership and is devoid of tangible service delivery standards. The Minister admits that much needs to be done and … admits that coming last in the “health stakes” is hurting the ACT.
If Mr Stanhope had read this thoroughly, there would not have been this discussion this morning and he would not have put these points across. I am not sure if the Chief Minister has actually read the report in full, so I will excuse him. The section of the report continues:
With fewer large Health facilities than some small country towns, Canberra must rapidly and cost effectively increase the service base for quality intervention and preventative health services.
“One stop Shop” Clinics would compliment Canberra’s existing Health infrastructure in the new northern and southern suburbs, provide leadership and
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