Page 2585 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 11 August 2015

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urgent patients first. Minister, how will ACT Health indemnify the individual nurse who, when working as directed by the employer, breaches their professional obligation?

MR CORBELL: I thank Mr Wall for the question. First of all, there has been no new direction to nurses in relation to these matters. The streaming of patients in the emergency department is unchanged and the practice is the same as it has been for close to a decade. In relation to the second part of Mr Wall’s question, all ACT Health staff are indemnified for acts done in good faith and in accordance with their professional obligations.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.

MR WALL: Minister, how is ACT Health’s “streaming” method of assessing category 3, 4 and 5 patients consistent with national standards for treating emergency patients?

MR CORBELL: The approach adopted by ACT Health in its emergency department is not in any way different from the practice in many other large hospitals. This is not a new practice. It is not the result of any new direction. This has been standing practice for close to a decade and is consistent with the practice in large metropolitan hospitals around the country.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.

MR HANSON: Minister, are emergency department patients being seen other than by most urgent patient first?

MR CORBELL: They are being seen consistent with the guidelines and the framework that have been in place in the emergency department for close to a decade.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.

MR HANSON: Minister, will you instigate a review of the Canberra Hospital triage system as called for by the nurses federation?

MR CORBELL: No I will not, for the reasons I have outlined in my previous answers.

Transport—light rail

MR COE: My question is to the Minister for Capital Metro. Minister, is the ACT government currently conducting any telephone polling on light rail; if so, what is the purpose of the polling and what is the expense?

MR CORBELL: I do not believe we are. I will check but I am not aware of any polling at this time.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Coe.


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