Page 3243 - Week 10 - Thursday, 25 September 2014
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that the care provided to them was of the standard that they expected. There will be situations like the ones that have crossed my desk this morning talking up how lucky we are to live in a place where the health care system provides such excellent care.
I would also point out that complaints and compliments cross my desk from every hospital in the ACT. I get complaints and compliments about Calvary hospital, I get complaints and comments about John James and I get complaints and compliments about national capital hospital. In every instance of a complaint that has crossed my desk, regardless which hospital it has come from, every incident is investigated by that hospital. If it is a private hospital, usually the private hospitals forward the response back to me, what they have provided to the patient in terms of having their concerns raised.
That is what you need in a high-quality health system where you have complaints processes that are robust. You have clinical review processes which are accurate and monitor any complaints around clinical practice, and where people feel able and free to provide their feedback. That is what we have here in the ACT.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, is bed occupancy of over 95 per cent resulting in less than optimal care at the Canberra Hospital, as foreshadowed by Dr Hall, the clinical director of the emergency department?
MS GALLAGHER: The incident you raised yesterday was not during that period of time, Mr Hanson, so I would say no. If the beds are available and there are patients in them, the quality of care, as a rule, is of a very high standard, notwithstanding the fact that there will be times when people feel that care is not up to scratch. When that occurs, investigations need to happen and complaints should be examined. In the case of the one raised with us in this parliament yesterday, no complaint had been received or lodged by the family. It is being progressed this morning. I know that contact is being made, so we can follow it up.
Community sector—government relationships
DR BOURKE: My question is to the Minister for Community Services. Minister, could you please outline how the Community Services Directorate has been working with the community sector to streamline its relationship with government?
MADAM SPEAKER: I am sorry; could you repeat the question, please, Dr Bourke?
DR BOURKE: Yes, Madam Speaker. Minister, could you please outline how the Community Services Directorate has been working with the community sector to streamline its relationship with government?
MADAM SPEAKER: I am sorry; the community sector’s relationship with the government?
DR BOURKE: Yes.
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