Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 02 Hansard (Thursday, 4 March 2004) . . Page.. 863 ..

Hennessy House
(Question No 1281)

Mr Smyth asked the Minister for Health, upon notice:

In relation to certain capital works that were undertaken at Hennessy House during 2002-03 and further to the reply to Question on notice No 1215:

(1) What was the urgent reason that necessitated the Calvary Hospital Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CALCAM) team having to move from Calvary Hospital to Hennessy House;

(2) What was the required deadline referred to in the answer to paragraph (1) of Question on Notice No 1215 and how was this deadline determined;

(3) How was it possible to determine that the Technical and Special Classes (TASC) room in the Hennessy House precinct was able to provide potentially suitable accommodation for the CALCAM team when significant renovation work was required before the CALACM team could occupy these premises;

(4) How long is it anticipated that the CALCAM team will be located in the TASC room.

(5) When was the renovation project (a) commenced and (b) completed.

(6) Have there been any implications for the capital works budget for A.C.T. Health for 2003-04 following the need to cash [manage] the Capital Works Program to undertake the renovation of the TASC room.

Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is:

(1) CALCAM was a pilot project at the time and arrangements were made for them to occupy a building on the Calvary Campus (Residence C) for a twelve month period. CALCAM actually occupied the building for a longer period. The reason CALCAM had to move from the hospital building to nearby Hennessy House was two-fold.

First, there were some significant functional design and OH&S matters raised by the staff and a decision was made that this could be best addressed by moving them to more suitable, upgraded facilities.

Second, Calvary had an urgent need to place some medical specialists on site including an orthopaedic surgeon and two pediatricians. The pediatricians are vital to support both the Public Hospital Emergency Department and the Maternity Unit.

(2) The required deadline was 25 March 2003. This date was agreed between Calvary Public Hospital and Mental Health ACT to provide urgently needed accommodation for medical specialists.

(3) The TASC room in Hennessy House became available for consideration when the previous occupant, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PRS) was moved to the Belconnen Community Service and Richmond Fellowship at the Belconnen Community

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .