Page 2162 - Week 06 - Thursday, 26 June 2008
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What about looking at improving the way we manage our triage system in our emergency department? These are thoughts and ideas that have been passed on to me, and I am sure they have been passed on to the government. What about the ever-present poor workplace culture that is deterring nurses from returning to the workforce, as confirmed to me by the ANF? I note and very much welcome recommendation 33 on page 64 of the estimates committee report, where the committee recommended that ACT Health further investigate the causes of aggression towards staff in hospitals. I think that needs to be extended further. I would have extended that further to say that we need to look at the whole culture of bullying in the workplace and make sure that staff are given every opportunity to be able to speak out and not be afraid of things like being sacked.
We need to see a more efficient use of the operating theatres. That has been brought to my attention by surgeons and specialists. We need to bring the management of the hospital into the 21st century by better use of system-dynamic technology, or improving poor management practices that do not encourage the retention of front-line professionals in hospitals.
Another alarming admission to arise out of the estimates hearings was that the minister is yet to be briefed on the health impact of the gas-fired power station proposed for Tuggeranong, although she says she has received “correspondence” around the issue. We have heard about the on again, off again possible relocation of a respite facility, which was refurbished at a not inconsiderable cost to taxpayers of $1.6 million, and situated probably too close to the proposed power station for comfort. (Second speaking period taken.)
The health minister was, and still is, all over the place in relation to what advice she was given, when she was given that advice and by whom. There is no plan to deal with the Medicare surcharge levy which is expected to bring a flood, even perhaps a parallel tsunami to that Ms Gallagher keeps referring to, of disaffected patients from the private health sector.
The minister is just relying on the federal government to bail her out and is simply practising her lobbying skills in order to get more financial compensation from Ms Roxon. Unfortunately, this ignores the basic problem that, with high levels of immigration and notwithstanding the incentives of the Howard government which have translated into a 15 per cent increase in doctors in regional Australia, there remains a lack of skilled healthcare professionals.
I also welcome recommendations 34 and 35, at page 65 of the estimates committee report. In recommendation 34, the committee recommends that the ACT government work with the commonwealth government to ensure that the ACT is not disadvantaged by changes to the commonwealth Medicare levy threshold. In recommendation 35, the committee recommends that the ACT government work with the commonwealth government to develop strategies that will eliminate the disincentives for people to use their private insurance in the public health system.
In closing, the budget and the government’s response to the estimates hearings show that it is clueless and has no real, long-term solutions in health, only “plans to plan” that see people continue to pay more in taxes and yet receive less in services.
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