Page 3304 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 18 September 1990
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The review recommends, Mr Speaker, that some resources from reduction in management positions in community nursing be transferred to direct care positions. The nursing panel concludes that some senior positions have replaced hands-on nurses and have resulted in a reduction in direct patient services. In order to restore the previous levels of direct care and meet the steadily increasing demand on community nurse services, these positions must be returned to service delivery.
The review did not address in detail the structures in mental health, drug and alcohol, and intellectual disability services. Further work is being undertaken by the ACT Community and Health Service in order to identify structural changes in these areas. Proposals in relation to the intellectual disability service will be developed in the Department of Justice and Community Services.
The review document does not specifically address costings issues, Mr Speaker, although it is obvious that potential savings are involved in the general health system. However, it is important to emphasise that there will be no curtailing of clinical or patient services as a result of the review; rather, services will be enhanced and in some cases expanded.
The Government considers the recommendations of the report to be of primary importance in achieving and maintaining an efficient nursing service which weds the highest level of effectiveness with the minimum cost needed for its achievement. On behalf of the Alliance Government I have pleasure in accepting in total the recommendations of the report of the review of the ACT nurses' career structure. The ACT Community and Health Service is to set in place the processes required to implement the recommendations and, in line with the Chief Minister's agreement with the TLC regarding consultative processes, the implementation will proceed in consultation with the Australian Nursing Federation. Mr Speaker, I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the papers.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
A.C.T. COURT SYSTEM
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
MR SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Mr Connolly proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly for discussion, namely:
The failure of the Alliance Government to refer proposals to restructure the ACT Courts and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to the ACT Community Law Reform Committee.
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