Supporting Canberrans to live long and healthy lives


Released 31/01/2020 - Joint media release

Health data from the 2020 Report on Government Services released today shows the ACT is again one of the healthiest communities in the country. We have the highest immunisation rates, we have the lowest rates of smoking and our ambulances have faster response times.

Health services

The ACT Government is committed to keeping our community healthy and well and is continuing to invest in initiatives such as the Healthy Canberra Grants, to reduce the risks of chronic disease and deliver a range of health promotion initiatives in collaboration with our community partners.

The new Healthy Canberra: ACT Preventive Health Plan 2020-2025 sets out a framework for preventing chronic disease and supporting improved health and wellbeing outcomes, with the aim of keeping Canberrans well and out of hospital.

The ACT Government has been making a series of investments across Canberra to ensure that Canberrans have better access to healthcare closer to home and within their local communities.

We will be opening a fifth Walk-in Centre this year in Canberra’s Inner North. Walk-in Centres continue to be popular with Canberran’s, providing free and accessible healthcare and advice for minor injuries and illnesses.

Emergency Department wait times continue to be a challenge for our hospitals. The ACT Government is investing in a range of initiatives to boost the capacity of our emergency departments and enhance surgical capacity across the ACT.

This includes the expansion of the Emergency Department at Calvary Public Hospital Bruce. Due to be completed prior to the busy winter period, this expansion will increase overall treatment spaces by 50 percent. Across the ACT, this represents an increase in Emergency Department treatment spaces of almost 20 per cent.

The SPIRE Project will deliver increased capacity across the Canberra Hospital’s adult and paediatric intensive care, surgical and emergency services. This includes the delivery of more emergency treatment spaces and Intensive Care Unit beds.

Ambulance services

“Our Ambulance Services has again recorded the best response times in the country. They do an amazing job on the front line helping our community in times of need,” said Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman.

“This year the ACT Ambulance Services will employ 25 more paramedics on top of the 19 new recruits last year. New ambulance stations are also being planned for Acton and the Molonglo Valley.

“We are continuing to support our Ambulance Services to ensure they are well equipped and responsive.”

Mental health management

“The ACT is leading the way in addressing the social and economic factors of mental health and wellbeing,” said Minister for Mental Health, Shane Rattenbury.

“A key achievement over this period has been the launch of the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing in June 2018 which promotes and coordinates whole-of-government action towards improving mental health and wellbeing amongst Canberrans.

“This year’s ROGS report shows that since 2014-15, we have seen a significant increase in presentations, resulting in admission, to our Emergency Departments (from 692 in 14-15 to 1645 in 18-19). Despite this, ACT Health Directorate data shows that since 14-15 there has been an overall decrease in waiting times (42.7 per cent decrease for people with a mental illness and a 36.9 per cent decrease for people with a serious mental illness) in our hospitals.

“These results show that although we have more people seeking help for mental health illnesses in Canberra, our mental health services are more responsive in providing support. However, we know there is always more work to do to continue to improve our services to ensure the right services are available at the right time, and for those who need it most.”

- Statement ends -

Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Mick Gentleman, MLA | Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases


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