Released 11/11/2021
The ACT has made a good start in laying the foundations for systemic culture reform in our public health system, an independent review has found.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith today tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly the second annual independent review into the implementation of recommendations from the Final Report: Independent Review into the Workplace Culture within ACT Public Health Services.
The review showed the ACT Health Directorate, Canberra Health Services and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce have made good progress in laying the foundations for better workplace culture, but found there is still a lot of work to do.
“The ACT Government is committed to the continued improvement of the workplace culture in our public health system,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“Staff right across our public health system do an incredible job for the people of the ACT and we want them to have a safe, supportive and inclusive environment that is a workplace of choice.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated just how important these critical workers are, but it has also been a difficult time for many of them.
“We know that improving culture is not something that happens overnight, and I am pleased that the annual review confirms we have built strong foundations for system-wide reform.
“However, feedback from staff tells us we have more work to do to establish expectations of positive workplace behaviour and to build leadership and management capability to uphold those expectations in practice.
“We also know that completing the 20 recommendations is not the end of the culture reform journey and we are committed to continuing this vital work with our public health system staff.
“In the final year of the program, we are transitioning our focus from the program’s specific actions to making culture improvement part of normal business.”
The original report made 20 recommendations and the ACT Government funded a three-year implementation program. So far eight recommendations have been completed, with significant progress on the other 12.
In total, 92 actions were identified to implement the recommendations. As of the most recent Oversight Group meeting, 60 had been completed, with 26 on track and six being actively managed to ensure all recommendations are addressed by 30 June 2022.
The annual review report is now available.
Quotes attributable to ACT Health Director General Rebecca Cross:
“The ACT Health Directorate welcomes this review and will continue to work with our colleagues at Canberra Health Services and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce to create an even better work environment across the ACT public health system.
“While we have seen positive progress towards our shared goals over the first two years of the culture review implementation program, the review has highlighted some key areas for further improvement and we will be focusing strongly on these.”
Quotes attributable to Canberra Health Services CEO Dave Peffer:
“While we’re off to a good start, it’s not enough to simply implement programs that are designed to make a difference.
“Our people need to be able to tell us they can feel a difference as a result of these programs.
“Work is underway to build team members’ courage and confidence, to empower them to call out behaviours that aren’t consistent with our values, and to escalate those matters if required.
“The Culture Review Implementation Program will continue until work to address all recommendations is complete, but fostering a positive workplace culture at CHS will always be a focus for the leadership team.
Quotes attributable to Calvary Health Care ACT Regional CEO Barb Reid:
“The second review of the implementation of the report from the Independent Review into the Workplace Culture within ACT Public Health Services describes advances at Calvary and other facilities.
“It also further focuses our energy on meeting the remaining recommendations and embedding a positive a cultural platform for the future.”
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases