Page 3147 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 22 August 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
expansion of bulk-billing services. We know that, although bulk-billing rates have been improving, there is more we can do both to encourage bulk-billing and to improve access to affordable GP services.
We know that we cannot rely on the commonwealth government to improve bulk-billing. That is why we have included new grants to incentivise more bulk-billing services across Canberra, particularly in the Tuggeranong and Molonglo regions, which will include also allied health service delivery. This budget will expand our highly successful mobile dental service, with an investment of $3.2 million to purchase and operate two additional mobile dental vans. Last year we promised we would invest in more health services right across Canberra and we are delivering on these commitments.
Members will also note the many announcements in this budget relating to the government developing new models of care that are better for patients. They are models that will enable patients to be discharged from hospital earlier, free up acute care beds and help patients receive care where they can recover more quickly, particularly in their own homes. With the incredibly positive community response to the hospital in the home program, we have included in this budget undertaking the necessary planning work for a significant expansion of this important service.
We will continue to deliver acute care services and the necessary infrastructure to support these. I have on many occasions explained to the Assembly what this government is doing to invest in our hospital facilities right cross the territory. It is investment that will ensure that our health staff can continue to provide and deliver safe, high quality services. That is why we continue to fund key infrastructure projects to upgrade the Canberra Hospital campus.
With the $95 million from last year’s budget, there has been substantial progress to improve ACT Health assets in the past 12 months. The upgrade and maintain ACT Health assets program contained a range of important upgrades, while the replacement of critical infrastructure is well underway. For the Canberra Hospital campus, this includes essential upgrades to lifts, heating, ventilation and electrical systems as well as hydraulics and electrical systems, among others.
We also know that patient admissions to hospital can be disruptive, particularly for older members of our community and for members of our community who are diagnosed with serious illness, particularly cancer. Their lives are completely changed. I am very proud that we have continued to invest in this budget by providing $17.3 million for significant upgrades to the acute aged care and cancer wards at the Canberra Hospital to provide better patient care and comfort.
As I mentioned, in order to deliver on the initiatives in the budget there are some important strategic pieces of work underway. We have a plan for the health services we need now, over coming years and for the next 10 years. To ensure that this high quality care continues to be available where and when it is needed, ACT Health is in the process of planning clinical services as part of a new territory-wide health services framework. This work is essential. It is about providing a pathway over the next
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video