DOCSLIB.ORG

Both Libs and Labor Promise a New Canberra Hospital

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Both Libs and Labor Promise a New Canberra Hospital CANBERRA Informing the Canberra Doctor medical community since 1988 AUGUST 2016 | Canberra Doctor is proudly brought to you by the AMA (ACT) Limited. Circulation: 1,900 in ACT & region Both Libs and Labor promise a new Canberra Hospital Both major parties have made significant commitments to redevelop Canberra Hospital should they be elected to govern the ACT on 15 October. While the Canberra Liberals have taken a further step in pledging two new “local hospitals” at Gungahlin and Tuggeranong, the Barr Labor team proposes a bigger spend at the Canberra Hospital and an all-new plan. The Liberals’ Plan “The $395 million new hospital First out of the blocks was the building at the Canberra Hospital Canberra Liberals with an an- site will be supported by $8 million nouncement that they will fund the for new nurses, doctors and other first stage of a redevelopment at staff.” Mr Hanson said. TCH. The promise, worth $395m, “The new hospital will also cater picks up the planning work done for a new 25 bed medical assess- by the previous Labor Government ment planning unit, 105 ambula- under former Chief Minister, now tory treatment spaces and a new Senator, Katy Gallagher. state of the art medical imaging The Canberra Liberals proposed redevelopment at Canberra Hospital unit. There will be a new admission Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson foyer, sterilisation unit and new pa- plan as has Jenny Miragaya, Secre- said the new building would house AMA (ACT) tient and volunteer facilities. a 92-bed emergency department, welcomes the Liberals’ Plan tary of the Australian Nursing and 48 intensive care beds and capac- Jeremy Hanson, The new facility is planned to be AMA (ACT) President, Prof Steve Midwifery Federation, ACT Branch. ity for 20 new operating theatres. Leader of the Canberra Liberals operational by 2019. Robson, welcomed the Liberals’ Continued page 9... VOLUME 28, No. 6 CANBERRA DOCTOR: Informing the Canberra medical community since 1988 Medical Musings WITH PRESIDENT, PROFESSOR STEVE ROBSON If the Federal election revealed one thing, it is probably elect of the Public Health Asso- that health is close to the top of the list of concerns for ciation of Australia, Mr David Tem- voters. This will not be news to the readers of Canberra pleman, has personally briefed the ACT AMA Board about alcohol-re- Doctor. When each of us sits down to help our patients lated harms and solutions. every working day, we see just how important health is to individuals, families, and the whole Canberra Unfortunately, the response from the Chief Minister Mr Barr has comm unity. been extremely disappointing. A multidisciplinary group met with Canberra is regularly named as for specialised services could be the Chief Minister recently, and one of the world’s most ‘liveable improved over current arrange- were appalled by his response to cities’ – much to the chagrin of the ments. Easy, intuitive on-line re- sensible suggestions and initia- leaders of other major Australian ferral systems where interaction tives that have broad support from cities. Canberrans, as a group, is with specialist staff, rather than Canberra’s families. We will keep have high levels of education hospital outpatient administration the pressure on Mr Barr, and look and tend to be very interested in staff, could be piloted. to him for the leadership Canber- health. There is ample opportunity I can imagine a system where rans expect on what is a critical is- for healthy exercise, and no short- GPs can have on-line ‘chats’ with sue for the community. age of healthy food options that specialist staff about patients most can afford. The Leader of the Opposition in they are considering referring to the ACT, Mr Hanson, has been just Yet waiting lists for elective sur- public hospital outpatient clinics. as recalcitrant. The AMA leader- gery tend to be long and tedious, The chats would be captured so ship has met with Mr Hanson and and access to specialist services there is no problem with recall of raised the issue. The Canberra through public hospitals is often conversations, yet allow GPs to Liberals’ ideas about a police solu- difficult. Many families will have to be guided and save patients long tion to alcohol-related violence and wait a long time to see their fam- waits. Or, appropriate investiga- harms are silly, and not supported ily doctor. Individuals in need face tions could be flagged and ar- by ACT Policing and other emer- barriers in accessing bulk-billing ranged in advance to minimise gency services groups. It is high services. delays in care at hospital level. time that ACT political leaders on GPs are key All of these ideas should be ex- both sides of the Assembly had a good hard think about how best to Last month saw the AMA’s annual plored by an innovative, expert serve their fellow Canberrans. Family Doctor Week, with activities group convened and funded by and advocacy promoting Canber- the ACT Government. The group “Medical marijuana” ra’s wonderful General Practition- would include family doctors, hos- pital specialists, in a broad mul- Secondly, the ACT Government ers. As we all know, Canberra’s has announced plans to develop family doctors face many chal- tidisciplinary group dedicated to improving the patient journey. In a framework for use of ‘medical lenges in providing care. Unfor- marijuana’ in the ACT. Cannabi- tunately, with most funding for a university town like Canberra, it seems staggering that such ini- noids may have a role in manage- General Practice coming through ment of some difficult-to-manage the Federal Government MBS, is- tiatives have not been made by the ACT Government to date. conditions, such as chronic pain sues that would promote and as- and complications of cancer treat- sist Canberra’s family doctors are Alcohol fuelled violence ment. The evidence is, however, seen as ‘Federal issues’ by politi- Two major public health issues are medium-level at best. With the cians positioning themselves for of particular interest to Canberra’s potential for adverse effects, and the ACT election next month. medical community. The first – the the political sensationalism asso- This is not so. General practice introduction of responsible alcohol ciated with cannabis use, the Gov- in Canberra could benefit greatly laws – has been badly handled by ernment must tread with care. The from investment by an ACT Gov- both the ACT Government and Op- AMA are hoping to be involved in ernment. Practice infrastructure, a position. There is clear evidence assisting the expert group, as we major cost for GP practices, could of alcohol-related harm for Can- are well-placed to keep the broad be assisted by Government grants berra’s citizens, and equally clear community interest foremost. and investment. Nurses provid- evidence that Canberrans support The ACT election is looming, and ing emergency services could be sensible legislative change pro- there are promising signs that placed in General Practice settings moting responsible alcohol use. health will again play a prominent – something guaranteed to improve The ACT AMA has been working role in electors’ minds. Here at the continuity of care – with ACT fund- closely with the learned Colleges – AMA we will provide a voice for the ing. Transitions of care between the Colleges of Emergency Medi- doctors who strive to improve the community-based doctors and cine, Surgeons, and Obstetricians health, relationships, and quality Canberra’s public hospitals could and Gynaecologists – along with of life for the people of the ACT. be vastly improved with targeted FARE (the Foundation for Alcohol Now is the time for us to do this by ACT Government investment. Research and Education) to en- working with those who lead, and Importantly, systems allowing fam­­ gage with the ACT Government seek to lead, the Government of ily doctors to refer their patients about these laws. The President- our community. [2] CANBERRA DOCTOR: Informing the Canberra medical community since 1988 AUGUST 2016 Minister Corbell signs new VMO contract One of the last acts of outgoing Health Minister, Simon Corbell, prior to the start of the ACT Government’s caretaker period was to sign-off on the new Core Conditions for ACT VMOs. In brief the new contracts have given some new rights to ACT Health but largely maintained the current remuneration arrangements and indexed the rates by 2.5% p.a. Given the strained relationship between AMA (ACT), the Visit- ing Medical Officers Association (VMOA) and ACT Health at various stages including threats of litiga- tion, walk outs, media stories, Dr Peter Hughes, VMOA President accusations of bias and personal In brief, the new core condi- attacks, it was no surprise that tions will result in some greater precious little progress was made rights handed to ACT Health during the “negotiating” period. but overall not too much has changed. Notable matters in- Further, given that ACT Health’s relationship between the annual review. position as put to the arbitrator clude: VMO and ACT Health. Payment in lieu of notice on entailed unfettered termination VMOs are required to keep Rates for Fee for Service termination. rights, reversion to NSW rates Dr Elizabeth Gallagher, AMA (ACT) abreast of relevant policies and sessional contracts with little or no increase for the Immediate Past President and VMO Dispute resolution process including when contracted indexed by 2.5% p.a. FFS at life of the instrument, workload Negotiator may be used where at Calvary. ACT Health 125.06% of 1 July 2016 MBS changes on one month’s notice termination occurs. must establish proper / sessional at $309 per hour and a host of other detriments, Timeframes for dispute communications with from 1 July 2016.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The ACT Election 2016: Back to the Future?
    The ACT election 2016: back to the future? Terry Giesecke 17 February 2017 DOI: 10.4225/50/58a623512b6e6 Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this paper are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the view of APO. Copyright/Creative commons license: Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0 AU) 12 pages Overview This resource is a summary of the outcome of the ACT election, held in October 2016. It was an unusual election, in that it saw little movement in party support from the previous election in 2012 and no fringe parties or candidates were elected. The main issues were the construction of a tramline, the implementation of tax reform, the demolition of over one thousand houses to resolve asbestos contamination and allegations of corruption. The ACT Election 2016: Back to the future? The ACT election on October 15 was more of a 1950s or 1960s election. In that era little movement occurred from one election to the next. In 1967 political scientist Don Aitkin wrote, “Most Australians have a basic commitment to one or other of the major parties, and very few change their mind from one election to the other”1. Not so today. In the last few years Australia has experienced three one term State/Territory Governments, huge swings from election to election and the rapid rise and fall of new parties. So why was the ACT different? The ACT election saw a swing of 0.5 per cent against the governing ALP and their partner the Greens and a 2.2 per cent swing against the opposition Liberals.
    [Show full text]
  • Member Biographies Eighth Assembly
    LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY MEMBERS OF THE EIGHTH ASSEMBLY NOVEMBER 2012-OCTOBER 2016 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY EIGHTH ASSEMBLY – LIST OF MEMBERS Historical document published in November 2012 which includes biographical information provided by members at the commencement of the Eighth Assembly, changes to ministerial and shadow ministerial responsibilities from November 2012- October 2016 have been updated within the following table. NAME ELECTORATE PARTY Mr Andrew Barr Molonglo Australian Labor Party Chief Minister (11/12/2014-31/10/2016) Deputy Chief Minister (7/11/2012-10/12/2014) Minister for Community Services (9/11/2012-6/7/2014) Minister for Economic Development (9/11/2012-31/10/2016) Minister for Housing (7/7/2014-20/1/2015) Minister for Sport and Recreation (9/11/2012-6/7/2014) Minister for Urban Renewal (21/1/2015-31/10/2016) Minister for Tourism and Events (9/11/2012-31/10/2016) Treasurer (9/11/2012-31/10/2016) Ms Yvette Berry Ginninderra Australian Labor Party Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (21/1/2015-22/1/2016) Minister for Community Services (21/1/2015-22/1/2016) Minister for Housing (21/1/2015-22/1/2016) Minister for Housing, Community Services and Social Inclusion (22/1/2016-31/10/2016) Minister for Multicultural Affairs (21/1/2015-22/1/2016) Minister for Multicultural and Youth Affairs (22/1/2016- 31/10/2016) Minister for Sport and Recreation (22/1/2016-31/10/2016) Minister for Women (21/1/2015-31/10/2016) Minister assisting the
    [Show full text]
  • Ministerial Travel Report for July to December 2016 ANDREW BARR
    Ministerial Travel Report for July to December 2016 ANDREW BARR DATE OF DESTINATION REASON FOR TRAVEL TRAVEL AIR TOTAL TRAVEL ALLOW FARES COST ($) 5-9 July 2016 Wellington, NZ Trade Mission $2,536.87 $2,117.09 $4,653.96 27-29 October 2016 Sydney, NSW Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum $1,401.58 $368.42 $1,770.00 14-16 November 2016 Wellington, NZ Canberra Week in Wellington $1,247.29 $1,700.04 $2,947.33 TOTAL $9,371.29 SIMON CORBELL DATE OF DESTINATION REASON FOR TRAVEL TRAVEL AIR TOTAL TRAVEL ALLOW FARES COST ($) 7 July 2016 Jamestown, SA Energisation Ceremony $77.20 $2,957.15 $3,034.35 27-28 July 2016 Sydney, NSW Australian Clean Energy Summit $698.93 $1,156.61 $1,855.54 31 August 2016 Sydney, NSW Disruption and the Energy Industry Conference $135.50 $420.06 $555.56 TOTAL $5,445.45 SHANE RATTENBURY DATE OF DESTINATION REASON FOR TRAVEL TRAVEL AIR TOTAL TRAVEL ALLOW FARES COST ($) 5-9 July 2016 Wellington, NZ Correction Ministers' Conference $1,790.06 $2,171.99 $3,962.05 11-21 November 2016 Marrakech, Morocco United Nations Conference on Climate Change $2,850.24 $4,735.14 $7,585.38 28 November 2016 Sydney Climate Leadership Awards $82.62 $167.28 $249.90 13-14 December 2016 Melbourne COAG Energy Council $529.00 $367.01 $896.01 TOTAL $12,693.34 MICK GENTLEMAN DATE OF DESTINATION REASON FOR TRAVEL TRAVEL AIR TOTAL TRAVEL ALLOW FARES COST ($) 28-31 July 2016 Darwin Australasian Racing Ministers' Conference $1,722.20 $2,117.57 $3,839.77 24-25 November 2016 Sydney Environment Ministers' meeting $828.13 $816.05 $1,644.18 TOTAL $5,483.95
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory
    *Estimates - QTON No. E19 -51 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY SELECT COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES 2019-2020 Miss Candice Burch MLA (Chair), Ms Bee Cody MLA (Deputy Chair), Mrs Giulia Jones MLA, Ms Caroline Le Couteur MLA, Mr Michael Pettersson MLA ANSWER TO QUESTION TAKEN ON NOTICE DURING PUBLIC HEARINGS Asked by Giulia Jones MLA on 18 June 2019: Andrew Barr MLA took on notice the following question(s): [Ref: Hansard Transcript 18 June 2019, p.279] In relation to: MR PETTERSSON: How much of the network consists of unlined cast-iron pipes? Mr Hezkial: That is quite a good question because that is a major concern for a majority of utilities in Australia. We are quite fortunate here in the ACT; we do not have many unlined cast-iron water mains. Most of our water mains are what we would describe as ductile iron cement-lined pipes; they are generally in quite good condition. Percentages are very low. for unlined mains in the system. MRS JONES: Do you know what the percentage is or are you able to provide that to us on notice? Mr Hezkial: I am happy to provide that to you on notice, but I do know that it is a relatively small proportion. ANDREW BARR MLA: The following answer to the Member's question has been sought from Icon Water Limited (Icon Water), which operates as an independent corporation: Icon Water has advised that the proportion of cast iron unlined water main is 1.3 per cent of the total network. Total length of main in Icon Water network is 3,300 km.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Australian Capital Territory Election: an Overview
    RESEARCH PAPER SERIES, 2016–17 12 JANUARY 2017 2016 Australian Capital Territory election: an overview Hannah Gobbett Politics and Public Administration Section Executive summary • This paper provides an overview of the issues and outcome for the 15 October 2016 election for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Legislative Assembly. • The two major issues of the election campaign were the enlargement of the Legislative Assembly (from 17 to 25 Members) and redistribution of all electorates, and the establishment of a light rail network through northern Canberra. • Following the election, neither major party gained the 13 seats required to form a majority in the Legislative Assembly. The Australian Labor Party (12 MLAs) reached a Parliamentary Agreement with the two Greens MLAs to form Government. The Canberra Liberal Party formed the Opposition. • The 2016 ACT election result continues a period of stability in ACT politics that has occurred since 2008, whereby the ALP forms government with the Greens through an official Parliamentary Agreement. • For the first time in Australian federal and state parliamentary history, a majority of women (13 of the 25 MLAs) were elected to Parliament. ISSN 2203-5249 Contents Executive summary ..................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 3 Background ................................................................................................. 3 2015
    [Show full text]
  • Health Minister Resigns
    FAMILY DOCTOR WEEK SPECIAL EDITION CANBERRA Informing the Canberra Doctor medical community since 1988 Issue 4, 2019 | Canberra Doctor is proudly brought to you by the AMA (ACT) Limited. Circulation: 1,900 in ACT & region Health Minister Resigns In late June, Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris announced her resignation from both the ACT Ministry and the Legislative Assembly. On 1 July she stood down as Health Minister and on 5 July departed the Legislative Assembly. First elected as the member for Yerrabi in 2015, by the end of 2016 Meegan Fitzharris was Health Minister in a re-elected Barr Labor Government. The resignation came as a sur- Mr Barr said, she left a legacy of ber, she has presided over con- prise to both politicians and the important work such as light rail struction of the light rail project public at large with no hint of Ms and long-term decisions across and many changes in the health system,” Fitzharris’ intention emerging portfolios that she had led. before the announcement was “Her workload, particularly in the made. In taking the decision to health portfolio, was extremely resign, Ms Fitzharris indicated It was an chall­­enging yet she was always professional and committed to that she wanted to spend more extremely her duties.” time with her young family and heavy workload ‘ The ACT Greens acting leader, could not commit to a further and Minister four-year term following the Oc- Caroline Le Couteur, released a Fitzharris had statement in which she said that tober 2020 ACT election. many calls on Ms Fitzharris’s leadership had “been invaluable in improving Tributes for Meegan Fitzharris: surprise resignation (Photo: Canberra Times).
    [Show full text]
  • Facts About the Legislative Assembly
    LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Office of the Clerk THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT: SOME STATISTICS ON THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE ACT As at 27 August 2020 Professionalism - Independence - Honesty - Integrity - Impartiality - Transparency Table of Contents The long and short of it: some statistics....................................................................................... 1 Legislative Assembly Firsts ......................................................................................................... 1 Speakers .................................................................................................................................... 1 Chief Ministers........................................................................................................................... 2 Deputy Chief Ministers .............................................................................................................. 3 Ministers ................................................................................................................................... 3 Leaders of the Opposition .......................................................................................................... 6 Members ................................................................................................................................... 7 Women in Parliament ................................................................................................................ 9 Legislation ..............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • This Report Considers the Experiences of ACT Members Of
    House of ‘Lords: Landlords and Tenants in the Legislative Assembly Better Renting When politicians make decisions, what experiences do they bring to bear? This report considers the experiences of ACT Members of the Legislative Assembly when it comes to tenure and property investment, contrasting Members with the broader ACT population. It finds that renters are underrepresented and that landlords are overrepresented in the Legislative Assembly. This helps us to understand which perspectives are likely influencing decisions in the parliament. Introduction Around Australia, there is growing demand In addition, we contacted MLAs directly to for housing reform. At a federal level, tax verify the information and obtain further concessions for property investors are being details, particularly with regard to renting. debated. At the level of states and territories, For our analysis, an MLA is considered to other levers are available, including rental have a property interest even if a property is policy reform. owned by a spouse, consistent with the approach taken in other similar analyses. While politicians will draw upon multiple sources in forming their views, inevitably Results their own experiences will play a role. When Our results show that MLAs are landlords at a our elected representatives look at rental rate higher than that of the general policy reform, what experiences and population and that MLAs are renters at a perspectives do they bring to bear? We rate much lower than the general population. sought to answer this question to better In total, eleven of twenty-five MLAs, or 44%, understand the extent to which the ACT own at least one investment property.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Capital Territory Labor / Greens Government Ministry March 2019
    Australian Capital Territory Labor / Greens Government Ministry March 2019 Andrew Barr MLA Chief Minister Treasurer Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality Minister for Tourism and Special Events Minister for Trade and, Industry and Investment Yvette Berry MLA Deputy Chief Minister Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development Minister for Housing and Suburban Development Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister for Sport and Recreation Minister for Women Meegan Fitzharris MLA Mister for Health and Wellbeing Minister for Higher Education Minister for Medical and Health Research Minister for Transport Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Mick Gentleman MLA Manager of Government Business Minister for the Environment and Heritage Minister for Planning and Land Management Minister for Police and Emergency Services Gordon Ramsay MLA Attorney-General Minister for the Arts and Cultural Events Minister for Building Quality Improvement Minister for Business and Regulatory Services Minister for Seniors and Veterans Shane Rattenbury MLA Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Minister for Corrections and Justice Health Minister for Justice, Consumer Affairs and Road Safety Minister for Mental Health Chris Steel MLA Minister for City Services Minister for Community Services and Facilities Minister for Multicultural Affairs Minister for Roads www.counselhouse.com.au Sydney | Melbourne | Canberra | New York Rachel Stephen-Smith Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs MLA Minister for Disability Minister for Children, Youth and Families Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety Minister for Government Services and Procurement Minister for Urban Renewal Assistant Ministers Mick Gentleman MLA Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Advanced Technology and Space Industries www.counselhouse.com.au Sydney | Melbourne | Canberra | New York .
    [Show full text]