Ms CARTER - 2003-02-19
Minister, how safe do you consider the Intensive Care Unit at Alice Springs Hospital, given that it no longer has a medical officer specialised in the area of intensive care, nor does it have many nurses with qualifications in ICU nursing on the staff?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is interesting to see the opposition’s real interest in health. It is a pity it did not happen when they were in government. We would have had a much better situation, both for outcomes and, indeed, in the department.
Over the last year, the Alice Springs Hospital has significantly improved its service, and I know that Madam Speaker, as a member from Central Australia, you will be very pleased to know this. We have in place an excellent new management team who are working very hard. I can assure Territorians that, in fact, the Intensive Care Unit, like the rest of the hospital at Alice Springs, is functioning very well.
Yes, there are issues in relation to the work force; there are in every aspect of the Health department, there is no question about that. However, that does not mean we are looking at unsafe situations. I can assure Territorians that what is happening at Alice Springs Hospital, and all other hospitals, is that our clinicians and nurses are working very closely to ensure that patient care is always maintained.
I have received no advice that suggests that there are any issues whatsoever at the Intensive Care Unit at the Alice Springs Hospital. I can assure you that what we are looking at here is a situation where the Alice Springs Hospital has improved considerably over the last year. At the moment, we have the full-time equivalent number of nurses - the correct number for the bed numbers at the hospital - and we are looking at a good situation in Alice Springs.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is interesting to see the opposition’s real interest in health. It is a pity it did not happen when they were in government. We would have had a much better situation, both for outcomes and, indeed, in the department.
Over the last year, the Alice Springs Hospital has significantly improved its service, and I know that Madam Speaker, as a member from Central Australia, you will be very pleased to know this. We have in place an excellent new management team who are working very hard. I can assure Territorians that, in fact, the Intensive Care Unit, like the rest of the hospital at Alice Springs, is functioning very well.
Yes, there are issues in relation to the work force; there are in every aspect of the Health department, there is no question about that. However, that does not mean we are looking at unsafe situations. I can assure Territorians that what is happening at Alice Springs Hospital, and all other hospitals, is that our clinicians and nurses are working very closely to ensure that patient care is always maintained.
I have received no advice that suggests that there are any issues whatsoever at the Intensive Care Unit at the Alice Springs Hospital. I can assure you that what we are looking at here is a situation where the Alice Springs Hospital has improved considerably over the last year. At the moment, we have the full-time equivalent number of nurses - the correct number for the bed numbers at the hospital - and we are looking at a good situation in Alice Springs.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016