Page 237 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 February 2018
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2017 these wait times have reduced by one-third, from 44 to 30 minutes. This is the biggest improvement in the country over that period. I am very focused not only on continuing to make the right health investments for our community but to make sure our system is patient centred, efficient and innovative. Over the course of this year Canberrans will continue to see improvements.
I would like to highlight some of my priorities for this year, which include continuing my strong focus on prevention; completing the important system-wide data review; continuing to improve our engagement, consultation and collaboration with health stakeholders, our workforce and employee representatives and the broader community; finalising the territory-wide health services framework and progressing the associated clinical and service planning and implementing our quality strategy and digital strategy; working with ACT Health to bring down wait times and increase access to our emergency departments and elective surgery; attracting more specialist health staff to our city; updating and investing in important drug and alcohol policy and services; and continuing and completing major upgrades to existing and new health infrastructure that Health and our partners deliver to the community each day. I will continue my focus on preventive health and establishing Canberra as a centre of excellence in preventive health.
The growing tide of chronic disease is a challenge for all governments, but, most importantly, it can have major impacts on a person’s quality of life. I said in my inaugural speech that investing in prevention makes sense and I am very committed to the range of preventive health initiatives that we will deliver, including additional funding, building an evidence base to support investment, partnerships with our research institutions and a preventive health strategy. As a member of the COAG health council, and this year its chair, I will continue to strongly advocate for investment in prevention.
Members will recall that I initiated a system-wide data review at ACT Health. This was a significant undertaking, but I am certain it was the right thing to do. I have provided regular updates to the Assembly to keep the community informed on its progress and look forward to sharing the outcomes of the review following its conclusion in March. I am confident that this review will set a new benchmark for health data and I am excited about its potential. We have already supported an important finding of this review, announcing investment this week in a new ACT Health data warehouse that will improve the management of essential health data.
This year will see continued consultation and engagement with key health stakeholders and the broader community. The territory-wide health services framework advisory group, which recently met for the first time, is just one example of a renewed approach to engaging with our important stakeholders and partners. Its members are a recognition of the importance of making sure our health services meet the needs of many in our community, especially those who may be vulnerable or have special needs. It is also a recognition of the importance of engaging with the primary health and research sectors. I look forward to listening to and working with our partners this year. I also look forward to strengthening our relationship with our
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