Page 1529 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 8 May 2018
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the review of the ACT’s opioid maintenance treatment guidelines and ensured there was extensive consultation with stakeholders. The review and subsequent adoption of the national guidelines for medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence is one of the ways the government is strengthening alcohol and other drug policies and services.
The national guidelines will be supported by updated, controlled medicines-prescribing standards for clinicians and have an ACT-specific document called “Opioid maintenance treatment in the ACT: local policies and procedures”. This new document ensures that the adoption of the national guidelines supports the continued delivery of this service in the ACT and provides comprehensive ACT-specific advice for clinicians and consumers. Following the completion of the review, it did take some time for the final guidelines to be completed but this time was very well spent in detailed and thorough consultation.
In conclusion, I am under no illusions about the challenges that ACT Health is facing. After over just a year in the role I am more determined than ever to address these issues and work with our 7,000-plus workforce and dedicated stakeholders and the Canberra community to do everything I can to make our health system the best it can be. Of course, this will not be easy. It is not something that one person alone can fix. Many people have an important role to play. As minister I do take responsibility for the strategic direction and performance of ACT Health to deliver for our community. Indeed there is no responsibility I take more seriously. As such, I am committed to seeing this through and will not be supporting Mrs Dunne’s motion today.
I also know this is not something we can address overnight but my number one priority is to improve the health performance of ACT Health one step at a time. In the immediate term we must meet accreditation in July and this is something ACT Health is urgently focused on. We are finalising further investment in the ACT budget next month. We have a clear plan in place to design and consult on the best structure for the two new organisations and we are about to take the first steps to embed quality data within the organisation through the outcomes of the system-wide data review.
While it is vital we meet these challenges, I want to make it clear that ACT Health continues to deliver high quality health services to our community. From the Canberra Region Cancer Centre to our walk-in centres and hospitals, we have dedicated staff who come to work every day, 365 days a year, to help people, and that will always be the case.
I welcome today’s opportunity to outline how the government is positioning its public health system to better deliver high quality, patient-centred care to our community. I have outlined some recent challenges and the steps put in place to address these issues. I have outlined the government’s commitment to continue to pursue our priorities and modernise our health services. I have outlined the steps being taken to address accreditation and to genuinely consult and engage staff. I look forward to keeping the Assembly updated on this important work.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (10.47): The opposition does not have confidence that Minister Fitzharris can fulfil her ministerial duty of managing
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