Page 914 - Week 03 - Thursday, 10 March 2016

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In relation to recommendation 3—ACTAS emergency services leadership framework—it is currently being progressed and work on a new leadership framework has commenced. I am advised that the leadership and values project working group will work closely with the ACTAS executive and the JACS directorate to develop a robust and relevant framework to guide future leadership development in both ACTAS and the wider ESA.

In relation to recommendation 4—360-degree feedback of leaders—this work has substantially progressed. A 360-degree feedback process has commenced for 34 ACTAS leaders and managers. I am advised that the initial surveys have been completed and information is being collated. This will provide individuals and the service with valuable feedback.

Recommendation 5—leadership development—has also substantially progressed. Three workshops for managers and staff focusing on ensuring effective communication skills have already been conducted. A total of 43 ACTAS staff and managers attended these workshops, and feedback was positive. Recommendation 6—staff workshop series—has already been achieved with the conduct of the five very successful facilitated workshops I previously outlined. Recommendation 7—communication strategy—has been achieved with the adoption of a blueprint for change project communication strategy.

Recommendation 8—governance and measurement—the final recommendation, is ongoing. The blueprint for change oversight committee has met on three occasions now. It is independently chaired by Mr David Plaice from South Australia, who reports directly to the commissioner’s office. I am also advised that a coordinating committee and an implementation group have also been formed to prioritise and advance the initiatives arising from the project working groups.

As well as these significant initiatives, ACTAS continues to deliver the highest standards in relation to response times and patient satisfaction. In fact, some of the performance standards are amongst the best in Australia. It is worth noting that ACTAS has been able to achieve this outstanding performance in a time of record demand for ambulance services here in the ACT. The continued strong response performance by ACTAS clearly demonstrates that the community can continue to have full confidence in the capability and quality of our ambulance services as they are delivered by its front-line personnel on a daily basis.

I am also very pleased to inform members that I have been advised that the Transport Workers Union representing ACT paramedics has recently agreed to sign a joint accord with ESA and ACTAS committing all three organisations to working together to deliver the recommendations arising from the blueprint. This is a significant development. It reinforces the point that considerable good work is being done and that all stakeholders are now working diligently and with a spirit of cooperation towards realising the full potential of ACTAS.

The ESA, as a unified agency, is wholly committed to professionalism as a cultural standard. In ACTAS this will be achieved by fully implementing this blueprint for


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