Following detailed community engagement, the ACT Government has released the final report into Designing ACT health services for a growing population. The report will help to guide and inform the design and development of the ACT's health services now and into the future.
Community consultation was undertaken across three phases between August and December 2022 and focused on eight key areas, including coordination of care, access to services and the new northside hospital.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the ACT Government is committed to delivering services that put consumers, families and carers first.
"People receive care in many ways be it through their GP, pharmacist, private specialists and allied health, in hospital, at our Community Health Centres or at our Walk-in Centres. People's health care needs change over time, and they access different services through all stages of life.
"Through this engagement, Canberrans had the opportunity to share their experiences and perceptions of health services across the ACT. This included providing feedback on the services and facilities that may be required in the years to come.
"The findings in this report give us an even better understanding of what Canberrans want and need from public health services in the ACT," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
Feedback from the engagement identified common barriers and issues with accessing health care.
Participants outlined difficulty in understanding what services are available and where. This feedback will help to inform how the government communicates services in the future, making it easier to navigate and promote services across the ACT health system.
The report also identified strong support for community-based services and more options to access virtual care.
The community was provided multiple opportunities to engage with and provide feedback on various elements of ACT health care services, including through a YourSay survey, participating in the community panel, or by attending one of the in-person or online activities for the new northside hospital.
Outcomes from this engagement will be used to inform planning for public health services. This includes new Health Centres opening across the ACT and the northside hospital.
"We will continue to invest in the services and infrastructure needed to ensure we can meet the growing needs of our community and provide Canberrans with access to the right care, in the right place and at the right time," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
To read the consultation outcomes report, including the listening reports for each engagement phase, visit the YourSay website.
