The Health Infrastructure Enabling Bill 2023 has passed the Legislative Assembly, providing a path forward for a major new hospital on Canberra's northside at Bruce.
This enables the ACT Government to acquire the Calvary Public Hospital land, and transition existing Calvary public hospital staff and assets to the Territory from 3 July.
The passing of the Bill provides certainty over the land and allows the ACT Government to move forward with developing the new northside hospital.
Consolidating our public hospitals to create a single network will allow us to better coordinate our health services, distribute resources effectively, strengthen the capacity of our workforce, plan infrastructure on a Territory-wide basis, and improve health outcomes for all Canberrans.
Through an integrated system, Canberra Health Services will be able to provide more efficient and innovative services, leveraging all of its hospitals and community-based services to deliver even better health care for Canberra and the surrounding region.
Once the Bill is notified, the ACT Government will begin the formal transition process with Calvary. This will include a transition lead from Canberra Health Services and a nominated lead from Calvary working together to coordinate and implement the smooth transfer of operations.
Throughout the transition process, Canberra Health Services will be working to provide staff with as much information, advice and support as possible. There will be many opportunities for staff to ask questions, share ideas and provide feedback.
Following the transition period, the ACT Government will be working to finalise the design of the new hospital. This will include input from staff, consumers, and the community to ensure we are delivering a hospital that meets the health care needs of our growing community.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Andrew Barr:
"This is a big decision for the future of health care in the ACT and a major step towards delivering an expanded and modern hospital for Canberra's northside.
"The ACT Government will continue to invest in the infrastructure, services and workforce needed to meet the growing needs of our community.
"Calvary has played a valuable role in the delivery of public hospital care in the ACT and I thank all staff, past and present, for their dedication to our community."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith:
"The number one priority during the transition is to provide support for staff and continuity of safe, high quality services for patients.
"I can assure staff that there are no planned changes to services and team structures. Our commitment to Calvary staff is they will be able to continue doing the same job, in the same team, with the same manager on the same pay and conditions.
"The critical path for the transition comprises those operational activities that absolutely must be completed by 3 July, and Calvary staff will be closely engaged in working through these.
"Both clinical and consumer reference groups will be established to support the transition, and expressions of interest will be sought for staff to join the transition team.
"We are committed to giving the workforce, patients and carers the information they need during the transition period, consulting with them and making their voices heard as we bring together our public health services."
