Page 3144 - Week 10 - Thursday, 18 October 2007
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wrong, what happened, why it happened and what we can do to improve into the future. That is the key, Mr Speaker, to better quality and better safety in our health care system.
Mr Stanhope: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answer to question without notice
Health—oral and maxillofacial surgery
MR STANHOPE: Mr Speaker, in question time yesterday I took a question from Mr Stefaniak in relation to the Reid review of oral maxillofacial surgery. I thank Mr Stefaniak for raising the issue of the Reid review. Of course, members would be aware that the Reid review was commissioned after six years of Liberal neglect in relation to the delivery of health care services within the Australian Capital Territory. You may remember, Mr Speaker, that in February 2002 Mr Reid, a former New South Wales Director-General of Health, was appointed to review the organisational arrangements of the government’s health services. Mr Reid’s report was received by me in May 2002. At the time I stated:
Mr Reid’s report, which I am releasing today, makes sobering reading. Despite the commitment and skills of those who lead and work within the government health sector, Mr Reid has concluded that they are being asked to operate within an unworkable system. They and the people of the ACT have been the losers.
I went on to say:
Mr Reid found a lack of clear roles, poor and confused accountability and both structural and legislative impediments to the effective linking of health policy and health service delivery … The purchaser/provider theory as it has been applied in the ACT health system has failed.
The Government fully supports the basic principles which Mr Reid has proposed as the foundation for a successful health system—the principles of collegiality and collaboration amongst health managers, more participatory approaches with the community and a shared vision, greater involvement of the clinical workforce in policy and planning, a focus on quality and innovation, and clear lines of accountability and advice to the Minister for Health.
They were all the outcomes of the Reid review. Mr Speaker, as I said, I thank Mr Stefaniak for allowing me to remind the people of Canberra of the system which we inherited from the Liberals and the views of Mr Reid in relation to the Liberal party’s system. Mr Speaker, on page 27 of the review Mr Reid states:
The good examples of cross hospital collaboration which have been implemented, or are in progress, include gastronintestology, haematology, intensive care and emergency medicine, while those not yet addressed include endocrinology, obstetrics, pathology and cardiology and oral maxillofacial surgery.
He goes on to state:
There are no arrangements in Canberra for oral maxillofacial surgery, often resulting in less than optimal management of trauma cases.
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