Page 4163 - Week 11 - Thursday, 21 September 2017
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Protection Authority conditions of licensing for both NSW and ACT. Higher risk waste from patients, including those contaminated with cytotoxic drugs, are sealed and incinerated.
5. ACT Health provides specific containers for the collection of clinical wastes and sharps at all facilities. ACT Health conducts an annual compliance check of all Environment Protection Authority licences and other regulatory permits such as truck permits. Periodic audits make sure there is identification and rectification of incorrect waste streaming practices.
Health—costs
(Question No 523)
Mrs Dunne asked the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, upon notice, on 25 August 2017:
(1) In relation to the Urology Surgical Variance Report for 2017, released by Medibank and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, why do patients in Canberra have to pay the highest price in Australia for prostate cancer procedures.
(2) Why do all patients in the ACT have to pay out-of-pocket expenses compared to other jurisdictions where only a proportion of patients have to meet out-of-pocket expenses.
(3) What is the Government doing to offer Canberrans a service that is more comparable in cost to other jurisdictions.
Ms Fitzharris: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) This report relates to charges incurred in private facilities. The ACT Government has no governance over private hospital pricing, only licensing Health Care Facilities under the current policy, and legislation.
(2) Charging by private specialists is a matter for the specialists themselves and reflects market forces. In general, the more private specialists, the lower the pricing.
(3) ACT Health has governance over public hospitals which provide a free service as per Medicare. ACT Health has no governance over pricing structures in private facilities.
ACT Health—grants
(Question No 526)
Mrs Dunne asked the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, upon notice, on 25 August 2017:
(1) Why does the ACT Health website say there are no health grants funding opportunities currently available.
(2) If grant funding opportunities will become available in 2017-18, when will that be announced.
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