Page 421 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 18 February 2020
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in the ACT. The total number of members associated with the ACT chapters of these gangs is estimated at approximately 70 people. The criminal gang membership has traditionally been relatively stable. However, changes to—
Mr Hanson: How many associates are there?
MR GENTLEMAN: Yes, that is right. Changes to criminal gang membership in recent years highlight a shift towards a more fluid concept of membership; as Mr Hanson interjected, associates of those gangs.
Canberra Health Services—budget
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I was asked a question in relation to post-it notes and rationing of stationery earlier, and I can advise that CHS has advised me that there is no rationing policy relating to stationery other than encouraging efficient use, and that there are no rules preventing community services from using the resources that they need.
Hospitals—maternity services
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I would also like to provide some updated information to the Assembly in relation to a matter that arose in question time on 27 November 2019. At the time I stated, in response to a question asked by Ms Lawder:
In fact, I would be unable to be briefed on this individual matter, due to the provisions of the Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act, unless the patient signed a release.
Mrs Dunne interjected to say, “That’s not true.” I responded by saying:
It is absolutely true, Mrs Dunne. It is certainly the advice that I have received.
I would like to emphasise that this was indeed the advice that was available to me at that time. At around that time, however, both Minister Rattenbury and I had sought further advice on this matter. We were jointly provided with this additional advice on 29 November. We have now been advised that Canberra Health Services is legally permitted to disclose personal health information to the relevant minister and their staff in situations where that information is necessary for us to undertake our roles in overseeing the appropriate management and quality of the health services, in line with our responsibilities under the administrative arrangements.
This is in line with privacy principle 10(2)(f) of the Health Records Act. However, it of course remains the case that we and our officers are unable to disclose any personal health information to a member of this place or a constituent who is not the patient without the patient’s written consent or pursuant to another exception set out in privacy principle 10 of the Health Records Act. I know that some members have received written consent from constituents to be provided with personal health information in order to enable the member to understand a consumer’s situation and
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