Page 1522 - Week 05 - Thursday, 7 April 2005
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The recall of this patient following the availability of a full radiology report demonstrates that we were able to identify the deficiency and checking of radiology reports effectively. Following diagnosis, no change was required to the patient’s plan. Following the identification of the broken arm, no change was required to the patient’s treatment plan. In relation to the timely reporting of radiology examinations, the hospital is currently undertaking an examination of this issue, including the potential introduction of new technology, to ensure that timely reporting of radiology examinations outside normal business hours is able to be undertaken.
The government and the hospital take the situation seriously, but it is important to make the point that Mrs Webcke did not wait for 3½ hours—she waited for a total of 92 minutes—and that the diagnosis following the full receipt of the radiology report did not result in any change to her treatment plan. So there was no compromising of the care provided to Mrs Webcke. The fact that the emergency department was busy and was dealing with more life-threatening cases is entirely the appropriate course of action when more serious cases are presenting at the hospital.
Housing
MRS DUNNE: My question is directed to the Minister for Housing, Disability and Community Services. Minister, in question time on Tuesday, you waxed lyrical about the success of your department in housing homeless families. You are aware of the situation of the Wei family—because I have raised it in this place before—who were forced to vacate their privately rented accommodation earlier this year. Mr and Mrs Wei are living with a brother in one part of Canberra and their children are living with Mr Wei’s sister in another suburb. When will your department provide the Wei family with appropriate housing?
MR HARGREAVES: Members of the opposition are only too well aware of the processes in Housing ACT whereby people’s needs are addressed. There are various categories of early allocation. I have every confidence that the officers in Housing are doing everything they can to satisfy as much of the need in Canberra as they possibly can. Putting people’s personal details into the public arena does not help that process.
MRS DUNNE: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Minister, are there other families who have been split up because they have been unable to obtain a property from Housing ACT?
MR HARGREAVES: As I said, the officers at Housing ACT do their very best to accommodate the needs of people as they present. Mrs Dunne is going on a fishing trip, and I do not intend to indulge her today.
Actew Managing Director—public comments
MR MULCAHY: My question is to the Chief Minister. I refer to the latest outburst by the Australian’s political commentator, Mr Michael Costello, as published in the Australian on 17 March 2005. Does the Chief Minister continue to believe that it is appropriate for the Managing Director of Actew Corporation to comment regularly on party political issues? Has the Chief Minister ever advised, under section 17 (a) of the
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