Questions Day 5 - Wednesday 17 September 2008
Parliamentary Record 1
Questions for 11th Assembly 2008 - 2012; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 11th Assembly 2008 - 2012
2008-09-17
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Questions
Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
Darwin
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Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
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QUESTIONS Wednesday 17 September 2008 48 Alice Springs Hospital Review of Outpatient Services Mr GILES to MINISTER for HEALTH The report on the review of outpatient services at Alice Springs Hospital also found there were considerable concerns that patients with severe problems are not being seen in an appropriate time frame and that, in some instances, patients who have been waiting for a long time are upgraded to P1 in order to be seen. The report found that this practice increased the waiting time for patients who are truly P1 to the detriment of their health. Is this not just one more example of why we need a full public inquiry into the Territorys public hospitals? ANSWER Madam Speaker, I have given a very full answer about the review that was undertaken, the recommendations, their implementations, and the challenges that remain. Short-term Crisis Accommodation Services Ms WALKER to MINISTER for HOUSING Can the minister please provide an update on what the Territory government is doing to assist in the management of short-term crisis accommodation services across the Territory? ANSWER Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. Honourable members would be aware that the government is committed to improving crisis accommodation services across the Territory. Yesterday, I was pleased to announce more than $425 000 in grants to improve crisis and medium-term accommodation services. Crisis and medium-term accommodation gives Territorians who fall on hard times, particularly women and children, a safe place to stay, away from potential trouble and sleeping rough. The grants awarded yesterday will support crisis accommodation providers to upgrade their facilities for the benefit of Territorians. I will list some of the organisations which received grants: Katherine Womens Crisis Centre was given $110 000 to upgrade security services; St Vincent de Paul Society was given $160 000 for a range of infrastructure upgrades - one at Ozanam House, Bakhita Centre in Darwin, and Ormonde House in Katherine; the YWCA in Darwin was given $46 000 to upgrade Casy House; Dawn House in Darwin was given nearly $31 000 for renovations; Tennant Creek Womens Refuge was given $48 000 for security and infrastructure upgrades; and Anglicare NT was given $30 000 to develop a business plan for The Lodge in Alice Springs. Crisis accommodation should not be an end point. We need to focus on helping Territorians who do fall on hard times to get back on their feet, to move into their own homes, gain work, and get their kids to school. The Henderson government will continue to support crisis accommodation, as well as developing programs to help Territorians get back up on their feet as an important part of Building Safer Communities. Alice Springs Hospital Failure of Phone System Mr CONLAN to MINISTER for HEALTH The report on the review of outpatient services, in which you highlighted a number of deficiencies under your watch, from April this year, also highlighted chronic difficulties with the phone system for outpatient services - dj vu - a bit like the police phone system in Alice Springs. Nevertheless, this failure means patients frequently leave the hospital without making an appointment. Does not the fact that not even the phone system works at the Alice Springs Hospital warrant a full public inquiry into the Territorys health system? ANSWER Madam Speaker, I have already outlined the review and the measures. I take on board the issue that the member for Greatorex has raised. However, if we are talking about Alice Springs Hospital and the difficulties it faces, why do we not look at the continuing difficulties regarding works that were carried out during the CLP time? Members interjecting. Madam SPEAKER: Order, order! Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, much has been Mr Conlan interjecting.