Page 2770 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 13 August 2019
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development and proactive stakeholder engagement in the development of proposals to build a positive workplace culture.
One of the key findings of the culture review was the need to better engage clinicians across the board, whether that is in policy, in processes across the health system or indeed in leading cultural change across the system. We know that ensuring that clinicians are a part of decision-making not only provides better support for them in their work but also provides better outcomes for the community, for their colleagues and for patients.
Hospitals—oncology treatment waiting times
MR PARTON: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is interesting stuff, but the question that I have is not that one. It is this one.
Members interjecting—
MR PARTON: Minister, on 8 August 2019, it was reported in the media that private cancer services provider Icon Cancer Centre Canberra was open to having discussion with Canberra Health Services about reducing waiting times for patients to access oncology treatment. Minister, what is the status of these negotiations?
MADAM SPEAKER: Minister for Health, are you clear about the question?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will take the question on notice.
MR PARTON: Minister, what advice have you sought or received regarding those discussions? If none, why?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I did have a general conversation with the CEO of Canberra Health Services just the other day about what the opportunities are for non-government providers to support Canberra Health Services in the delivery of timely care across the ACT health system. Those conversations are ongoing.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, how long will it be before cancer sufferers can expect a significant reduction in the wait times for treatment?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mrs Dunne for the question but I do think that it is really important that we do not send the message, as the opposition continues to do, that patients in the ACT are not receiving timely care according to their need. Yes, there are some waiting times in various services that look like they are longer or are not in line with national benchmarks. But patients in the ACT are triaged and supported to ensure that they receive timely care, and they receive care in a health system that is high quality and supports people’s needs. It is really important, I think, that members in this place do not continually talk down our public health system.
Mr Hanson: Ask cancer patients about it. See what they say.
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