MLA raises fears NT Health’s restructure will see ‘services stripped from the regions’
CONCERNS have been raised over future access to health in the regions ahead of the looming internal restructure of NT Health
Centralian Advocate
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CONCERNS have been raised over future access to health in the regions ahead of the looming internal restructure of NT Health, which will see Central Australia’s stand-alone health service integrated with the Top End’s to create one mega-entity.
NT Health informed the Independent Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley in a briefing on Thursday, plans to restructure the NT Department of Health were under way and would be in operation from July 1. The Central Australia Health Service (CAHS) encompasses Acute Care Services, including Alice Springs Hospital and Tennant Creek Hospital, Primary and Public Health Care and Mental Health.
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It is understood the Health Services Act 2014, the legislation underpinning the two current NT Health Services – Top End Health Service and Central Australia Health Service – will be rescinded and new legislation will be introduced to parliament in the March 2021 sittings.
Mrs Lambley said she was concerned the centralising of health services to Darwin would lead to the regions becoming neglected.
“Already we have seen services stripped from the regions. The Barkly has lost its Patient Assistant Travel Scheme clerk who organises all patient travel for people requiring treatment outside of Tennant Creek,” Mrs Lambley said.
“I was informed the consultation for the restructure will begin this week and will only be internal for NT Health staff.
“I was advised that the drafting instructions for the new health services legislation have already been provided by government to Parliamentary Council. Therefore, it seems the consultation process will be somewhat meaningless and tokenistic.”
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The legislation will be introduced to parliament in March then debated and passed through parliament in the May sittings. Ms Lambley said it was clear “the NT Health Department is about to undergo a major restructure”.
“I also do not consider now, during COVID, to be the best time to be wasting Health resources implementing a restructure that is not required,” she said.
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