Released 26/06/2023
The operation of Clare Holland House will transition to Canberra Health Services from 3 July by mutual agreement with Calvary Health Care.
This decision follows extensive discussions between the ACT Government and Calvary Health Care, focused on what is in the best interests of patients and staff.
The ACT Government and Calvary have worked together to understand the complexities of Clare Holland House and its existing connections with Calvary Public Hospital Bruce.
We recognise this has been a difficult decision for Calvary, and that it has been made to preserve the nation-leading integrated care model for both inpatients and outpatients.
This is a model of care that has been highly valued by patients, families and staff since home-based services were moved to Clare Holland House.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said this decision will ensure continuity of care for patients needing public palliative care services and provide certainty for Clare Holland House staff.
“We have heard very clearly from staff that they believe palliative care services – hospice and community-based – should stay together as a specialised, integrated palliative care service.
“The ACT Government and Calvary are committed to working together over the next week and beyond to ensure the ongoing delivery of quality, professional care to patients, carers and loved ones during this time,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
Canberra Health Services will work with Calvary to ensure a smooth and safe transition of services with the aim of minimising disruption for staff, patients and carers as much as possible. Clare Holland House staff will be invited to transition their employment to Canberra Health Services, with members of the transition team onsite at Clare Holland House this week to support individual employees through this process.
“I know this has been a difficult and anxious time for team members at Clare Holland House, as well as their patients and the community. Canberra Health Services will be working hard in the coming days to support staff, patients and carers by providing information and answering their questions.
“Our commitment to Clare Holland House team members is that they will be able to continue doing the same job, in the same team, with the same manager on the same pay and conditions,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
Calvary Health Care has been providing specialised palliative care services to Canberrans since 1995, with hospice services provided at Clare Holland House in Grevillea Park since 2001.
“I thank Calvary for the support and care they have provided to people with life-limiting illness in the ACT and our surrounding region over the last 28 years,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.
“Clare Holland House is named after an ACT nurse who provided decades of leadership in public palliative care. The Canberra community is rightly proud of the compassion, excellence and innovation that underpins the services delivered every day at Clare Holland House.
“The dedicated nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, volunteers, and support staff of Clare Holland House deliver a highly valued service that will continue through this transition and beyond.”
All Clare Holland House team members are encouraged to make themselves known to the Transition Team as soon as possible by:
- Visiting www.act.gov.au/northsidehospital and complete an Employee Transition form;
- Calling the dedicated Transition Hotline for team members, suppliers, and contractors: (02) 5124 0400;
- Emailing CHS.northsidehopsitalenquiries@act.gov.au; and
- Visiting the Transition Team at the information kiosk which will be onsite at Clare Holland House from Tuesday 27 June.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases