Page 2945 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
One particular challenge that lies ahead is the rapid development of information and communication technology, which has the potential to exclude disadvantaged Canberrans. The government has taken significant steps to provide the community, particularly disadvantaged groups, with access to information technology and to bridge the digital divide. For example, ACT libraries provide free access to the internet and training for those unable to afford or access such technology in their homes or workplaces, including a focus on supporting older people to become familiar with the technology.
In the 2006-07 budget, the government provided funds to deliver a 3.7 per cent indexed increase for the community sector to help address significant viability issues. We are now looking at the development of core pricing principles in partnership with the community sector.
While the general health and wellbeing of Canberrans is excellent by national standards, there are areas where further improvement is required. Changes in family structures and an ageing population also present challenges. By focusing on prevention and early intervention across the lifespan, we can improve the likelihood of positive health and social outcomes for everyone. Indicators show that life expectancy in the ACT is higher than life expectancy nationally. In 2004-05, we had lower rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations compared to other jurisdictions, and the lowest separation rates of any jurisdiction occur in the ACT for vaccine preventable conditions and acute and chronic conditions.
The ACT primary health care strategy 2006-09, released in September, sets out a strategic direction for the delivery of primary health care services across the ACT. We welcome the recent launch by Minister Gallagher of access health, the plan which sets the future direction for public health services in the ACT.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing plan represents a significant collaboration between the ACT and commonwealth governments and Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services. The plan, released in July 2006, aims to close the gap between the health status of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and has a particular focus on families, pregnant women, children and people with a chronic disease. The government has allocated $2 million over four years for combating childhood obesity in children up to the age of six, their families and carers, early childhood sector staff and teachers, with all stakeholders actively involved in project planning and project monitoring.
The government has allocated extra recurrent funding of $638,000 for the child at risk health unit to broaden its existing services to encompass a more comprehensive range of health services, including nursing, developmental assessments and an expansion of counselling services to children and families where abuse has occurred or is suspected.
Since 2004-05, the government has funded up to 147 extra beds in the territory’s public hospitals. This includes a flexible combination of overnight acute inpatient beds and bed equivalents that can be adjusted throughout the year to correspond with peaks in demand. The government has invested more than $10.3 million over four
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .