Posted on March 31, 2009 by by valerirojas

The ACT Government has agreed to five of the six recommendations made by a Legislative Assembly committee inquiring into last year’s closure of the Wanniassa Medical Centre, ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher said today.

Releasing the Government’s response, Ms Gallagher said the report by the Standing Committee on Health and Disability had again highlighted a number of issues currently facing the ACT community, including the corporatisation of medical services and the shortage of practicing GPs.

“The ACT Government is committed to working to support general practice, encouraging medical graduates into a career in general practice in Canberra, and to exploring a range of options for the future provision of primary health care services in the community,” Ms Gallagher said.

The Minister said the Government had agreed to five of the Committee’s recommendations which related to:

• investigating the possibility of incorporating provisions in crown leases to protect community interests;
• investigating the collection of data about general practitioner workforce issues in the different regional areas of Canberra;
• consulting with Regional Community Services regarding the demand for transport to medical appointments for the frail aged and people with disabilities;
• ensuring that Primary Health Care Pty Ltd is meeting its lease requirements by providing the appropriate number of car parking spaces; and
• §using the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission to raise concerns about the impact of the Australian Government legislation on the provision of GP services in the ACT.

For more details visit the Chief Minister’s site

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