Page 3595 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 22 October 2013
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MR CORBELL: This is a standard practice when there are faults with any piece of equipment. It is regrettable that these faults have occurred after the testing period that the ACT Ambulance Service went through in relation to the new defibrillator equipment. These faults did not appear during that testing period despite quite a lengthy period of testing. They appear to relate to software versions that were loaded onto the equipment by the manufacturer for the equipment that was supplied after the testing period. These matters are being rectified under the contractual arrangements that the government has with the manufacturer, and the ACT Ambulance Service continues to engage with the manufacturer on those matters. I am advised that the manufacturer has been very responsive to the problems that have been identified. As a result, we have seen a very significant reduction, just about an elimination, of the problem’s reoccurrence. And, as I have said before, there has been no unfavourable clinical outcome for patients.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, what are you doing to resolve these issues and why were these issues not resolved before the monitors were deployed into service?
MR CORBELL: I do not know if Mr Smyth heard my previous answer, but the fault was not identified until the units came into service. It did not emerge during the testing period. You cannot identify a fault that does not appear during the testing and trial period of the equipment. This fault has appeared after the testing and trial period and it is being rectified consistent with the contractual terms that the ACT Ambulance Service has with the manufacturer. It is not a fault that has led to any critical patient care outcomes that are adverse. Indeed, it is not a fault that has not been able to be managed by the Ambulance Service whilst they work with the manufacturer to rectify it.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, why have we purchased a system with less functionality than the system it replaced, and can you guarantee that there will not be any further transmission failures or inaccurate blood pressure readings in the future, or adverse outcomes for patients?
MR CORBELL: I am confident that the ACT Ambulance Service is taking all appropriate steps to rectify the problem, and that is what we expect our managers to do. I have every confidence in the approach they adopted on this matter.
Economy—performance
MS PORTER: Madam Speaker, my question, through you, is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, can you advise how the ACT economy has performed since the re-election of the Gallagher government?
MR BARR: I thank Ms Porter for the question. The short answer is that the territory economy has been performing very well since the re-election of the government,
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