Released 26/09/2018 - Joint media release
The ACT’s public health system will next week transition to two organisations – Canberra Health Services and ACT Health Directorate.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said the transition was a fundamental change to the delivery of public health services in the ACT, bringing the Territory into line with all other jurisdictions.
“Forming two health organisations will ensure we are in the best position to provide Canberrans with quality health care, now and into the future,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“We are future proofing our healthcare system to better respond to our city’s current and future needs.”
Canberra Health Services (CHS) will be the organisation responsible for the delivery of quality, safe and consistent public health services to Canberrans.
“CHS will have full responsibility for the operation of public health services, including Canberra Hospital, University of Canberra Hospital, our growing network of Walk-in Centres, our community health centres and the Hospital in the Home Program,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“The leadership team at CHS will be able to solely focus on service provision and will make decisions on the way these services are delivered.
“CHS will be set up with all the necessary corporate support functions to ensure our clinical areas can focus on what they need to do – provide quality and safe healthcare for Canberrans.”
Minister Fitzharris said the transition would be a seamless one for patients and consumers.
“People visiting our public hospitals, our popular Walk-in Centres or in any way accessing the many community based health services that we offer will not experience any disruption as a result of the transition,” she said.
ACT Health Directorate will be the steward of the health system.
It will be responsible for providing strategic policy advice to Ministers, developing plans for the future health needs of the community, developing plans for the prevention of disease, modelling demand for and supply of health services and leading workforce and clinical training strategies.
The Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing will sit within the Directorate, as will the Office for Clinical Leadership.
ACT Health Directorate will also play a leading role in supporting the growing medical and health research sector.
“The transition will facilitate improved mental health services delivery, while also allowing mental health policy to improve its focus,” Minister for Mental Health Shane Rattenbury said.
“The establishment of the Office for Mental Health will ensure that these efforts are well coordinated.”
Both Ministers said it was important to recognise that the evolution of the ACT’s health system would not stop on 1 October 2018.
“We must continue to evolve and improve as a health system so that Canberrans continue to receive the world-class health care they expect and deserve,” Minister Fitzharris said.
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases
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