Page 3931 - Week 10 - Thursday, 20 September 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
staff do face some level of challenge in that space in the interaction with patients in particular.
Mrs Dunne sought an answer to a question on notice, which was provided to her recently, around the number of assaults. The level of physical assaults is something that I am deeply concerned about. It is why with the nurse safety strategy we are currently working on I have engaged with the Chief Nurse to indicate my expectation that they particularly consider the role of mental health nurses and the special circumstances that they face, because they do face particular challenges compared to regular nurses.
In terms of the mental health space more broadly, the reason why I was seeking clarity from Mr Wall is that I think that for people who have a mental health condition, in various forms, stigma and bullying continue to be significant issues. We are working hard in Australia to break this down but I think we have some distance to go.
MR WALL: Minister, how many cases of bullying have been reported in ACT mental health services?
MR RATTENBURY: I will take that on notice and get some specific advice. Perhaps I can give him the last financial year, but if Mr Wall has another expectation he might specify that.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, what actions have you taken to assure yourself that bullying is not a regular occurrence in ACT mental health facilities?
MR RATTENBURY: I have taken a number of steps. They range from conversations with the director-general about culture and how things are going in the organisation, to conversations with the line staff and the managers who come to my weekly departmental briefings, and visits to field sites where I interact directly with staff. As I discussed earlier, my expectation of the nurse safety strategy is that it is one particular place where I think there is scope. In the debates that happen in this place and in the media, I have made very clear my view of zero tolerance and have indicated an open door to people who have concerns.
ACT Ambulance Service—cardiac treatment
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. Minister, how are ACTAS staff improving the survival rate of cardiac arrest victims, and has this been recognised in any way?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Pettersson for his question and his interest in ACT emergency services, ACTAS and our long-serving volunteers.
I am pleased to advise members that the ACT Ambulance Service call takers have achieved world-leading performance by correctly recognising cardiac arrest over the phone 99 per cent of the time, dramatically improving the chance of survival in the ACT. This outstanding achievement was recognised at the ACT public service awards for excellence.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video