Page 3062 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 5 December 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
reported overfunding in the health area and the Government examined many options in the lead up to the budget in an attempt to address both this issue and the increasing cost of health care in the community.
Hospital Services
(Question No. 43)
Mr Humphries asked the Minister for Community Services and Health, upon notice, on 15 November 1989:
(1) Have the hospital administration cost saving measures outlined in the Initial Budget Statement been implemented; if not, why not.
(2) What has happened to the rationalising of nursing shifts arrangements at Royal Canberra Hospital to eliminate excessive overlap and the co-ordination of staff days off to align elective services with staff availability.
(3) Do the cost saving measures recommended by the interim hospital board also respond to the overfunding identified by the Grants commission as referred to by the Chief Minister in her Initial Budget Statement when she said that the proposals in health "primarily respond to the overfunding identified by the Grants Commission" and are therefore totally in line with Government policy.
(4) Were the costs per bed day $428 at Royal Canberra, $340 at Woden Valley and $264 at Calvary in 1987-88; if so, (a) what component of these costs are labour costs and (b) what is the reason for the discrepancies.
Mr Berry: The answer to Mr Humphries' question is as follows:
(1) The implementation of savings identified requires extensive negotiations and the budget reflects this in less than full year savings targets. The measures are being progressively introduced in consultation with staff and unions.
(2) Negotiations on measures to achieve savings identified are taking place with the unions involved. Further details are provided in my response to question on notice no. 52.
(3) The Government sought in the budget process to identify cost saving measures. These measures are not simply a response to the Grants Commission but part of the many responsible actions taken by this Government to serve the people of Canberra, while always maintaining our commitment to a first class hospital system which is available to all members of the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .