Page 3334 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 22 September 2015
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In addition to the five facilitated workshops, ACTAS has commenced updating all of the headquarters-stationed staff personal development and achievement plans. These updates will include training in reinforcing effective communication skills and refresher programs in respect, equity and diversity, which underpins the ACT public sector employment values. A draft implementation charter was tabled at the August meeting of the oversight committee, and the charter is about ensuring continued commitment within ACTAS at all levels that will lead to implementing the necessary changes to support a culture that is reflective of the professionalisation and the professionalism of the service.
As part of the ongoing consultation process and keeping staff informed on blueprint for change activities the ESA Commissioner and the Chief Officer of ACTAS continue to engage with staff by visiting ambulance stations, participating at five scheduled in-service sessions and providing regular staff updates. And this consultation also includes meetings with TWU delegates. The staff communique is being issued on a monthly basis to keep staff updated.
I note the TWU’s strong desire for change within ACTAS, and I wish for this to occur quickly. Change requires planning and considered execution to bring all staff along. By participation in the blueprint for change through the oversight committee, the TWU has shown a shared commitment to change within ACTAS through vigorous staff involvement. It also is my strong view that we need to give the leadership of ACTAS the directive to make sure that the blueprint for change is delivered. And I encourage the TWU to continue working towards achieving these necessary reforms.
For members’ information, I have met with TWU delegates on a number of occasions and they know and understand my absolute determination to do right by them, to do right by ACTAS and to do right by the community we serve.
The work of the Chief Officer of ACTAS, supported by the ESA Commissioner, should be acknowledged in progressing and planning for the blueprint’s implementation and ensuring staff involvement. The Chief Officer’s contribution to leading ACTAS through a period of considerable growth and demand while still managing performance outcomes that are amongst the best in the nation was recently acknowledged by the ESA Commissioner. The statistics on ACTAS service delivery under the current Chief Officer show that it is among the best in the nation in delivering quality ambulance services to the community in the face of continued and increasing demand, and this still continues.
The ACTAS Chief Officer, supported by the ESA Commissioner, is leading the implementation and needs to be supported in this reform process. The significant reform will take time and all involved are absolutely committed to the process.
The blueprint for change highlighted that ACTAS continues to deliver the highest standards in relation to response times and patient satisfaction. The fact is that some of the performance standards are amongst the best in the country. Additionally, ACTAS has been able to achieve this outstanding performance in a time of record demand for ambulance services. In other words, ACTAS meets the technical
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