Page 1412 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 6 May 2015
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review panel for further consideration and a final decision. This panel comprises the ACT Health medical director of paediatrics and the ACT Health Division of Women, Youth and Children manager of nursing services as well as a community representative. The HAAS registered nurse provides a link between the parents and the school. A communication pathway has been developed with each family to ensure that changes in health are communicated promptly to the HAAS nurse. This is designed to ensure that the healthcare plan will be updated and further training implemented, if that is required. In the event that changes in a student’s health status are noted at school, the parents would be informed by the HAAS nurse.
ACT Health is aware of some concerns from the ACT Branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and the Australian Education Union about the HAAS model. Senior officials from ACT Health are working with their counterparts from the Education and Training Directorate and three key unions to resolve the concerns that have arisen, with specific attention to some issues that have evolved at Black Mountain School during the pilot. With regard to Black Mountain School, two registered nurses were relocated following the introduction of HAAS. In light of some recent concerns, ACT Health has placed back two registered nurses within Black Mountain School for term 2 to further support families and staff transitioning to the HAAS program.
Prior to the HAAS trial arrangements, no special school nurse was dedicated to the Woden School, but there has been a nurse present during school hours to support an individual student. Following the development of a care plan for that student, nurses now attend the school once daily, or more frequently if required, in line with the care plan arranged and agreed to by a paediatrician, a registered nurse and the student’s parents. An LSA supports this student at all other times, including observing the health of the student in line with the care plan. ACT Health will continue to work with the family should they wish to review this care plan.
Both government directorates are also working closely with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation to address issues as they arise. I take their concerns very seriously, including the concerns and complaints we have received from parents, teachers, nurses, carers and unions. That is why we are now reviewing this pilot. While several public consultations were held during the planning and implementation phases of HAAS in November 2012 and again last year, I acknowledge we need more consultation with parents, teachers, nurses and their respective unions to ensure the needs of everyone involved are properly and reasonably met.
There is general feedback from parents and agreement among directorate officers and representatives of unions that HAAS is working well for students with healthcare needs enrolled in mainstream schools. Therefore, I want to see a similar outcome achieved in our special schools. The HAAS pilot will continue to be adapted as the government listens, learns and responds to the concerns of students, their parents and carers.
Supporting students with additional health needs to attend school is a priority for ACT Health and for the Education and Training Directorate. The government will continue to work with families to provide quality learning opportunities for students who also
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