Mr FINCH - 1996-05-16
Mr FINCH (Health Services): Mr Speaker, last night the member for MacDonnell sought further details on the education programs relating to the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. The community education programs will provide comprehensive factual information about the act in a number of multifaceted components that will begin in various phases before the 1 July implementation date. They will be delivered as separate educational programs for medical officers, nurses, Aboriginal communities, health workers and the general community, including people of non-English-speaking background.
Territory Health Services has established an advisory committee to coordinate the total education package. It comprises representatives from the Attorney-General's Department, the Office of Ethnic Affairs, palliative care services, Territory Health Services and a range of other organisations responsible for the development and implementation of education programs. It has also representation from a special reference group, comprised of members of key Aboriginal organisations and government departments, which is advising on the education program for Aboriginal communities. On 27 May, a toll-free telephone service will become operational to provide Territorians with easy access to information about the legislation. The service will be advertised widely via television and newspaper advertisements. Callers will be provided with information brochures about the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, palliative care services and the Natural Death Act. Where appropriate, referrals will be made for further advice and counselling. People will also be encouraged to contact their local GP.
Green Ant Research, Arts and Publishing has been appointed to conduct the education program for Aboriginal communities in conjunction with the independent Aboriginal Advisory Group, which has broad experience in community health and legal affairs. The program is currently under way and will involve a heavy emphasis on the use of NT Aboriginal languages and extensive consultation with Aboriginal people. In-service training will be provided to Aboriginal health workers across the Territory.
Through the Top End Division of General Practice, medical practitioners have commenced work on their training package, with information sessions across the Territory scheduled to begin on 28 May. From early June, the NT Branch of the Royal College of Nursing of Australia will start information workshops for nurses in urban and regional centres. Territory Health Services is in the process of finalising information packages which will be
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available in a number of different languages. These will include information brochures, posters and pamphlets which will be distributed widely to general practitioners, health centres, community care centres and the general community from early June.
The cost of this program is being met by the allocation of additional funds to Territory Health Services. These comprise: project officer for 9 months, $52 000; medical practitioner and nurse education, $62 000; general community education, $46 000; non-English-speaking background education, $3000; Aboriginal education, a total of $125 000; advisory group, $3800; and Aboriginal reference group, $5000. That is a total of $297 000.
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Territory Health Services has established an advisory committee to coordinate the total education package. It comprises representatives from the Attorney-General's Department, the Office of Ethnic Affairs, palliative care services, Territory Health Services and a range of other organisations responsible for the development and implementation of education programs. It has also representation from a special reference group, comprised of members of key Aboriginal organisations and government departments, which is advising on the education program for Aboriginal communities. On 27 May, a toll-free telephone service will become operational to provide Territorians with easy access to information about the legislation. The service will be advertised widely via television and newspaper advertisements. Callers will be provided with information brochures about the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, palliative care services and the Natural Death Act. Where appropriate, referrals will be made for further advice and counselling. People will also be encouraged to contact their local GP.
Green Ant Research, Arts and Publishing has been appointed to conduct the education program for Aboriginal communities in conjunction with the independent Aboriginal Advisory Group, which has broad experience in community health and legal affairs. The program is currently under way and will involve a heavy emphasis on the use of NT Aboriginal languages and extensive consultation with Aboriginal people. In-service training will be provided to Aboriginal health workers across the Territory.
Through the Top End Division of General Practice, medical practitioners have commenced work on their training package, with information sessions across the Territory scheduled to begin on 28 May. From early June, the NT Branch of the Royal College of Nursing of Australia will start information workshops for nurses in urban and regional centres. Territory Health Services is in the process of finalising information packages which will be
Page 1375
available in a number of different languages. These will include information brochures, posters and pamphlets which will be distributed widely to general practitioners, health centres, community care centres and the general community from early June.
The cost of this program is being met by the allocation of additional funds to Territory Health Services. These comprise: project officer for 9 months, $52 000; medical practitioner and nurse education, $62 000; general community education, $46 000; non-English-speaking background education, $3000; Aboriginal education, a total of $125 000; advisory group, $3800; and Aboriginal reference group, $5000. That is a total of $297 000.
Page 1376
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016