Mr RIOLI - 1998-04-21
Two independent experts, appointed by the minister's own department, have produced a damning report on the Country Liberal Party administration's shameful neglect of Centralians requiring health services. Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table a copy of this report.
Leave granted.
Mr RIOLI: The report proves that the Country Liberal Party administration's neglect of the allied health services being delivered to Centralians has caused 'deformity and suffering, and unnecessary pain, disability and even premature death'. Will the minister, who has been responsible for the health services in question for 3 years, explain why he has allowed this intolerable situation to develop?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have not seen the report to which the honourable member refers. I understand that it is a draft report. I understand from Territory Health Services that it lacks solid, analytical evidence. The report is being examined by Territory Health Services and it will be forwarded to me by the end of April. Obviously, it has been leaked to the member for Arafura, but I have not received it yet.
I do not resile at all from the problem of allied health services in Alice Springs. There have been significant difficulties, particularly in 1997, in recruiting allied health professionals. The situation improved until March 1998. Of the 18 positions in Territory Health Services in central Australia, 14 are currently filled. Anyone who reads local or southern newspapers will have noted that Territory Health Services has been advertising consistently for professionals to work in Alice Springs. It is simply a fact of life that we cannot attract the number of allied health professionals to the area that we would wish. At the moment, we are short by 4 positions.
I do not resile from the fact that services in some areas are inadequate. We are restructuring in order to provide better support for families, parents and carers who are experiencing long delays in receiving assessment and treatment - in particular, children with disabilities. The member may be assured that, when I receive the final report, I will act on its recommendations as best I can.
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Leave granted.
Mr RIOLI: The report proves that the Country Liberal Party administration's neglect of the allied health services being delivered to Centralians has caused 'deformity and suffering, and unnecessary pain, disability and even premature death'. Will the minister, who has been responsible for the health services in question for 3 years, explain why he has allowed this intolerable situation to develop?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I have not seen the report to which the honourable member refers. I understand that it is a draft report. I understand from Territory Health Services that it lacks solid, analytical evidence. The report is being examined by Territory Health Services and it will be forwarded to me by the end of April. Obviously, it has been leaked to the member for Arafura, but I have not received it yet.
I do not resile at all from the problem of allied health services in Alice Springs. There have been significant difficulties, particularly in 1997, in recruiting allied health professionals. The situation improved until March 1998. Of the 18 positions in Territory Health Services in central Australia, 14 are currently filled. Anyone who reads local or southern newspapers will have noted that Territory Health Services has been advertising consistently for professionals to work in Alice Springs. It is simply a fact of life that we cannot attract the number of allied health professionals to the area that we would wish. At the moment, we are short by 4 positions.
I do not resile from the fact that services in some areas are inadequate. We are restructuring in order to provide better support for families, parents and carers who are experiencing long delays in receiving assessment and treatment - in particular, children with disabilities. The member may be assured that, when I receive the final report, I will act on its recommendations as best I can.
Page 175
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016