Page 2797 - Week 07 - Thursday, 3 July 2008

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(5) Action taken to assist elderly patients include having more staff present during patient meal times and improved aspects of food packaging and presentation. For example, earlier this year ward and food services staff reviewed a range of issues and alternatives that had been identified by patients, relatives and staff of TCH Ward 11A that could improve service and quality for elderly patients, such as:

• Juice containers (lids);

• Packaging of sweets and salads;

• Packaging of butter, margarine and jams;

• The number of meals (e.g. six small versus three main);

• Bottled water – delivered with seal cracked and cup;

• Milo provided as well as tea and coffee;

• Soup as mid-meal in winter;

• Levels of fibre in meals (considered in conjunction with the Nutrition department)

Children—protection
(Question No 2056)

Mrs Burke asked the Minister for Children and Young People, upon notice, on 6 May 2008 (redirected to the Minister for Health):

(1) Further to the Minister’s statements on 14 December 2006 (Hansard, pp 4242-3) concerning a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) between ACT Policing and Child at Risk Health Unit (CARHU) and given the epidemic of child abuse in recent times and the admission of disclosable conduct within the Sexual Assault Response Project and by employees of ACT Health, has the Minister ensured a MOU is in place between ACT Policing, the Director of Public Prosecution, the ACT Health, Child at Risk Health Unit and family support services, that clearly defines roles, responsibilities, duties and procedures to be followed by each agency when crimes against children are reported; if not, why not; if so, how and when did this occur;

(2) How does this MOU, if it exists, ensure all employees are compliant with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1994 and Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989 safety duties to employees and third parties, namely the children at risk and their families;

(3) What does the CARHU provide to the community since being renamed Child at Risk Health Unit;

(4) How, if at all, has the role of the CARHU changed;

(5) In relation to staffing at CARHU, (a) how many staff are currently employed, (b) what is the composition of staff employed and (c) are all the positions currently filled; if not, how long have the positions been vacant and what impact does this have on service provision for meeting the health needs for children at risk in the ACT;

(6) Does CARHU currently have a finalised MOU with the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team and the Director of Public Prosecutions; if so, how long has it been in place; if not, why not;

(7) What training has been undertaken and provided to staff of CARHU;

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