4 October 2016

The number one priority of a Hanson led Canberra Liberals Government will be fixing the health system that has been so badly neglected by ACT Labor and the Greens over the past 15 years, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Health Jeremy Hanson said today.

“Today I’m delighted to be announcing additional commitments to boost services at Calvary Hospital to further strengthen our plan for health across Canberra,” Mr Hanson said.

“Our further commitments include:

• $12.5 million for an emergency department expansion at Calvary Hospital. Our commitment will expand the adult short stay unit by eight beds to create a net total of 15 adult and 4 paediatric SSU beds. There will also be a new procedure room and paediatric consultation room and 12 new nurses.
• $4.2 million to upgrade inpatient mental health facilities at Calvary.
• $1.64 million to expand Calvary’s midwifery-led model of care, so women can receive consistent care from the same midwife for the duration of pregnancy, the birth and post-natal care.

“We have already committed to a $395 million redevelopment of the Canberra Hospital, two new Local Public Hospitals in Gungahlin and Tuggeranong, 52 new nurses at the Canberra Hospital, extra security at the Canberra and Calvary Hospitals, funding to boost GP services and self help organisations, and more public defibrillators.
“The Canberra Liberals are committed to fixing the health system and we can do that because we won’t waste $14 billion on trams,” Mr Hanson concluded.