Page 1173 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 10 April 2018

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questions answered as well as gaining a much better appreciation of the process. The in-depth insight provided this evening really helped my understanding of the legislative environment, the bigger picture as well as the challenges ahead. Please pass on my thanks to all those involved in pulling the evening together. It was very much appreciated.”

As I said, I was concerned to see some of the reporting on social media this morning. I do provide an absolute assurance to the Assembly and to the public that CYPS will continue to work to support carers to achieve adoptions or enduring parental responsibility orders where that is in the child’s or young person’s best interests. I will provide any further information I can, certainly by the end of the week

Health Directorate—proposed organisational changes

MRS DUNNE: My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Minister, on 24 March, the Canberra Times reported on your decision to split the Health Directorate into two new directorates, one focused on policy, the other on operations. The paper reported that you said “the new policy arm would focus on overseeing operations and policy”. Minister, will the directorate responsible for operations be accountable to the directorate responsible for overseeing operations?

MS FITZHARRIS: I cannot comment on the precise quote in the Canberra Times as I do not have it in front of me. Certainly the governance arrangements not only within each organisation but between them are aspects of the important work that is currently underway by the transition team. We have many examples across the country to learn from, to learn what has worked well, to learn what could be improved, and to determine what is the best model both for each organisation—

Mrs Dunne: You have already announced it.

MS FITZHARRIS: Indeed we have, and that work will now get underway. And it will involve consultation.

MRS DUNNE: Minister, how will splitting the directorate in two create efficiencies in the health system?

MS FITZHARRIS: The work that the transition team will undertake over the next six months will determine the relationship between the two organisations. What it will allow the service delivery arm to do is focus solely on service delivery, whether that be Canberra Hospital, the University of Canberra hospital, our community health centres or walk-in centres, or other community-based services like hospital in the home. There will be a clear focus on delivering high quality services efficiently for our community.

MS LEE: Minister, how will an operations directorate, answerable to a policy directorate, both of which inevitably will end up with different processes, reduce waiting times in the emergency department and for elective surgery?


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