Page 1526 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 May 1990
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proposals that had not previously been costed - that is, the convalescent home, the hospice, the birth centre and the 24-hour mental crisis centre?
MR HUMPHRIES: I thank Mr Connolly for his first question directed to me. I can indicate that costings are presently under way to establish what costs would be entailed in some of the aspects of these arrangements, but I have to emphasise what I have said on many occasions in the past in respect of that development. These proposals are interlocking. They depend on a number of facets of the overall hospital redevelopment program. Some of those facets are, as yet, difficult to fully describe and present in this Assembly.
I have mentioned, for example, that in the relocation of the Jindalee Nursing Home from its present site at Narrabundah to the Royal Canberra site not only will there be costs associated in building any new buildings if required on the site for the accommodation of aged persons; there will also be benefits - cost benefits, capital benefits - should the ACT Government decide to sell the present site of Jindalee.
There are many interlocking issues. I cannot provide comprehensive answers to all of them because the first and fundamental question is: what do we want in the way of health facilities on the Royal Canberra site? Having decided that, we have to decide what other ripple decisions have to be made going out from that basic decision.
I can indicate, though, with respect to the 24-hour crisis service, that there was a proposal in last year's budget, the Follett budget, for a crisis service. An amount of $150,000 was allocated in that budget for that purpose. I will say, as I have said before, that on coming to office I was told promptly by my department that that amount was absolutely inadequate to provide any such service, that no decent service could be provided for that amount of money. As a result, this Government has had to turn to other sources to supplement that amount, to find the resources necessary to provide that service which will be provided as soon as possible. I cannot give a date, but I assure the Assembly that as soon as that service can be funded by existing resources it will be begun.
Teaching Hospital
MS FOLLETT: My question also is addressed to the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts. I would like him to let me know if he would like a score out of 10 for his answers. I am only too happy to oblige.
Mr Kaine: He has 10 out of 10 so far. Try him on the next one.
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