Page 2860 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 14 August 2019

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Funding Agreement to ensure both parties’ future interests are addressed, acknowledging that this will require additional funding to secure access to private facilities and/or transport;

(e) that, in line with Recommendation 3 of the Report, the ACT Health Directorate will work with Arthritis ACT to support members to identify suitable access to alternative hydrotherapy by mapping the current services provided through existing sessions, to build a holistic assessment of need; and

(f) that, in response to Recommendation 4 of the Report, which is that the ACT Health Directorate conduct a study of the costs and benefits and different models for the longer-term establishment of a hydrotherapy facility in the south of Canberra, the Minister for Health has announced that the ACT Health Directorate will undertake a market sounding process to determine whether there are non-government organisations who may be interested in working with the ACT Government in the development of a new public hydrotherapy pool in Canberra’s south;

(2) further notes the resolution of the Legislative Assembly of 15 May 2019 that called on the ACT Government to:

(a) agree not to close The Canberra Hospital pool until an appropriate level of access at other suitable locations, readily accessible for those on Canberra’s southside can be continued;

(b) continue to work collaboratively with local stakeholders to include their input in the work that is currently underway to determine the current demand and usage of hydrotherapy and warm water facilities across the ACT; and

(3) further notes that:

(a) the Minister for Health reported to the Assembly on 13 August 2019;

(b) the Minister reiterated the ACT Government’s commitment not to close The Canberra Hospital hydrotherapy pool until an appropriate level of access at other suitable locations can be continued for those on Canberra’s southside;

(c) the ACT Government remains committed to working with Arthritis ACT and Canberra Hospital hydrotherapy pool users to establish an appropriate level of access at other suitable locations, aiming to provide continuity of support for individuals and groups to the greatest extent possible; and

(d) Canberra Health Services has clearly advised the Minister and the community of the risks associated with keeping the pool open, and that these risks cannot be sustained for an extended period; and

(4) calls on the Minister for Health to report back to the Assembly by the last sitting day of 2019 on the further progress in implementing the recommendations in the Nous Report, including in relation to the market sounding process and the process of supporting pool users to access other suitable locations.”.

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