Page 1092 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 March 1990
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MR KAINE: I do not believe that there has been any maladministration of the leasehold system. An error has apparently been made - and I say apparently because I have not had a report on the matter yet - on the part of a registrar; not by the lease managers, not by the Territory planning authority, but by the registrar. When I know the full facts I will answer the question if somebody pursues the matter. But let us set aside this proposition that there has been maladministration. I know of none, and I do not accept the premise of your question.
Obstetric Beds
MR BERRY: My question is to the besieged Minister for Health, Mr Humphries. Does the Minister agree with the bed planning projection based on the most recent census data which indicates that no extra obstetric beds will be needed in the ACT by the year 2000?
MR HUMPHRIES: In answer to the question from the failed former Minister for Health I can say that I do not have figures on projected obstetric bed use or demand at my fingertips to his surprise and - - -
Ms Follett: Why not? You should have.
MR HUMPHRIES: Because I just do not have them here sitting in front of me. They are on the file, you can have a look at them if you want - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Humphries please proceed.
MR HUMPHRIES: I withdraw that; you cannot have a look. If Mr Berry is concerned about obstetric projections, I will get the figures for him and supply an answer on that matter.
MR BERRY: I ask a supplementary question. Does this mean that Mr Humphries has not consulted the projected bed planning data before coming out in support of transferring obstetric beds to the private sector? Does this mean that opening beds at the John James Private Hospital will mean the closure of beds in the public sector and the abandonment of support for a major centre of excellence in obstetrics in the Territory?
MR HUMPHRIES: First of all, it is not true to say that I have not consulted those figures - - -
MR BERRY: But you do not know the answer.
MR HUMPHRIES: It does not mean that I carry them around in my head. The fact is that there was careful consideration of all the relevant figures before this decision was announced.
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