Page 757 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 8 March 2016
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We are starting to see significant improvements. For example, when it comes to the number of people waiting longer than clinically indicated for elective surgery, we are making some real inroads in reducing the number of people who are waiting in that area. But there remains important work to be done, and my focus as minister is to get on and do that work to support the work of my officials in driving those changes to support the work of our nurses, doctors and other health staff. That will continue to be my priority in the coming months.
ACT Health—workplace culture
MRS JONES: My question is to the Minister for Health. In the week of 26 February 2016 the results of the workplace culture survey 2015 were presented to the Health Directorate. Minister, does this survey indicate that 48 per cent—that is, almost half of all staff—do not think ACT Health is a truly great place to work?
MR CORBELL: The results of the workplace survey have been used for internal planning purposes. That has been the consistent approach the government has adopted in relation to that survey.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: Minister, did this survey identify the presence of inappropriate behaviours, including favouritism? What were the other inappropriate behaviours?
MR CORBELL: I refer Mrs Jones to my previous answer in relation to those matters. But I would make the more general observation that behaviours in the public hospital system nationally—for example, when it comes to areas around junior doctor-senior doctor training—remain of concern.
That is why the government is very focused on the work of the clinical reform body that we have established to drive reform in this area to work with organisations such as the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons to improve the training culture for junior doctors when they are being trained in their relevant specialities. That remains an ongoing body of work that the government is very committed to.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, how is the Labor government supporting nurses and doctors in the ACT by allowing such a toxic culture to exist for 15 years?
MR CORBELL: We do not support that culture but, as Mr Hanson should be aware, given his own background in the military, culture is a difficult thing to change and culture change takes time. For all the time that Mr Hanson was in the military, was he responsible for a toxic culture inside the ADF? It is simply an inappropriate approach.
Mr Hanson: I took responsibility. I did not try and blame others.
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