Page 1470 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 July 2020
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In addition to the easing of public health restrictions, we are also looking at the impact that these restrictions have had across our community. Members would be familiar with the ACT government’s significant support for businesses, community organisations and services to meet the challenges faced as a result of the pandemic.
The government has previously announced stimulus packages for community organisations that deliver services which are vital to Canberrans, including mental health support, alcohol and other drug services, and food packages.
Yesterday, I was pleased to join the Chief Minister in announcing the government’s commitment to deliver a record number of elective surgeries in the territory, with more than 16,000 to be delivered this financial year. Our planning is aimed at exceeding this and reaching for around 16,500 elective surgeries. I want to take this opportunity to thank the public and private hospital leaders who are working collaboratively to deliver on this goal. I also want to acknowledge and thank the surgeons and other health professionals who have really pulled together in the response to COVID-19 and are now stepping up again as we work through our recovery.
The government’s commitment of $30 million will not only deliver a record number of elective surgeries but also enable an additional 14,000 outpatient specialist appointments; up to 1,900 dental appointments targeting children and our most vulnerable community members; 2,600 child development checks; and targeted checks for kindergarten children, focusing on hearing and vision.
Australia continues to receive flights of repatriated citizens and permanent residents from overseas, including flights landing in the ACT. Given the escalating COVID-19 case numbers in many countries, some individuals on these repatriation flights are likely to have been exposed to COVID-19 whilst abroad. The ACT government has been very thorough in ensuring that those Australian citizens and permanent residents returning on repatriation flights are screened for symptoms on arrival in Canberra and monitored for COVID-19 symptoms during their 14-day hotel quarantine.
Passengers from the recent flight from Nepal underwent voluntary testing for COVID-19 on day 11 of their stay, even if asymptomatic. The vast majority of passengers agreed to be tested, and all—obviously, given no new cases—returned negative results. Those passengers have now departed the hotels and returned home following a final health screening.
There were a number of primary and acute health needs of the quarantined passengers during this period which required the assistance of ACT Health, Canberra Health Services and the ACT Ambulance Service. These matters were dealt with professionally, safely and appropriately. I commend all of the staff and personnel involved in supporting and caring for these passengers.
To conclude, I want to again thank the Canberra community and Canberra businesses for continuing to follow the health advice and public health directions.
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