Page 2939 - Week 09 - Thursday, 18 September 2014
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Over 131 kilometres of new community paths—that is, footpaths and cycle paths—were constructed between the 2011-12 and 2013-14 financial years. The Canberra and Queanbeyan cycle map was updated and the multi-modal journey planner is in operation through the ACTION website, hosted by Google Transit.
Through the delivery of the healthy weight action plan, the government is exploring territory plan amendments and engineering standard updates to create healthier, more liveable neighbourhoods with active streets.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, how does the fact that there are fewer people riding ACTION today than when the transport plan was released tie in with the goals of that very plan?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Coe for his question. The action plan is about more active transport. So we are engaging people to use their bikes, to walk and also to use ACTION.
Canberra Hospital—surge capacity
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, members. I would like to hear Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, on 11 September the executive director of the Canberra Hospital emergency department addressed staff concerns in an email titled “Current ED issues” in which it is reported that on 3 June 2013 the Canberra Hospital implemented “surge capacity”. Minister, what is “surge capacity” as implemented at the Canberra Hospital?
MS GALLAGHER: “Surge capacity” is what it means in any other area: that you are able to ramp up and provide extra bed capacity when you need it for a time. The surge capacity, as outlined in that email, alluded to eight beds that were available to be opened when needed. I think in the last three to four weeks they have been open pretty much the whole time.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: Minister, how often does the Canberra Hospital reach level 3 escalation due to capacity pressure? What is that, and does it require the implementation of surge capacity?
MS GALLAGHER: Yes, surge capacity would be covered under a level 3 escalation. That is when the hospital is full. There are level 1 and level 2. Level 1 is normal operations, when the bed capacity across the hospital is at 85 per cent. Level 2 is when you are seeing that capacity increase and there are a certain number of patients bed locked in the ED, for example more than eight hours spent waiting for a bed in the hospital. There are a range of different criteria when the people waiting for surgery exceeds a certain number of hours, whether it be 10 hours, 15 hours, 20 hours, 40 hours. There are a range of criteria that lead to an escalation plan.
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