Released 27/01/2021 - Joint media release
Canberra’s COVID-19 health response and health services are receiving a boost to help keep Canberrans safe and healthy.
An extra $63 million will help the ACT stay on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, including our contribution to the national rollout of a vaccine.
With the assistance of Canberrans, the ACT Government has managed an effective health response to the COVID-19 pandemic that’s seen no community transmission since March 2020. However, the pandemic does not have an end date and we know the situation can change quickly, both in the ACT and interstate.
In addition to the ongoing delivery of an effective public health response, we must have the capability to surge quickly if the need arises.
This is why the ACT Government is funding increased resourcing for the Chief Health Officer and our testing facilities to ensure we can continue to contain the virus and its impact on the ACT community.
This includes funding for continued staffing and operational costs for case investigation, contact tracing, medical and public health specialists, quarantine processes, policy and exemptions, continued clinical capability at our testing centres and hospitals, and important education, engagement and compliance activities in the community. We are committed to continued vigilance.
A vaccine is critical to protecting vulnerable Canberrans and we are contributing $19 million, plus $4.5 million capital, to ensure a safe and efficient rollout in the ACT. This will be a major logistical and operational exercise and the ACT Government will take a very deliberate and measured approach to the vaccine rollout.
An extra $6.5 million has also been allocated to fund additional services at Calvary Public Hospital Bruce to meet the growing demand from the northern parts of Canberra. This funding will allow Calvary to continue meeting the increasing demand on the northside due to population growth and ageing trends.
The government has also committed $908,000 to fund four beds in Palliative Care ACT’s “Leo’s Place” respite hub to support Canberrans with a life-limiting illness and their carers. This flexible model will enable people to spend anything from a few hours to up to seven days in a home-like environment while their carers get the rest they need and the time to manage other responsibilities. The facility will also provide a place for families and carers to access resources and support, including coordinating access to relevant services.
Funding of $16.6 million provisioned in the August 2020 Economic and Fiscal update will be released to undertake critical electrical building services infrastructure upgrades to Building 10 at Canberra Hospital.
ACT Pathology is located within Building 10 and operates 24/7. It provides a critical service to support clinical operations across the Territory and runs the primary COVID-19 testing laboratory in the ACT.
As well as modernising building services infrastructure, the works will improve the level of essential electrical services back-up for pathology services equipment in the event of a mains power failure.
The pandemic isn’t over, and there is more work to do. But we have the right plan to invest in Canberrans and lead our city through the pandemic.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases