Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
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7080<br />
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS<br />
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2009<br />
(1) What is the Government doing to review the Bovine Johne's disease control program?<br />
(2) Is the Minister aware <strong>of</strong> concerns that the control program is in need <strong>of</strong> revision due to poor science<br />
and inadequate diagnostic technology?<br />
Answer—<br />
(1) A review <strong>of</strong> BJD Management in NSW has commenced. The final date for submissions is 26<br />
October 2009.<br />
(2) One <strong>of</strong> the specific issues to be addressed by the review is the possible impact <strong>of</strong> new technologies<br />
on the program.<br />
*7442 PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH TEACHING POSITIONS—Mr Andrew Constance asked the Minister for<br />
Education and Training, and Minister for Women—<br />
(1) Is the Minister aware <strong>of</strong> a motion passed unanimously at the Narooma Public School Federation<br />
rejecting the department's proposal to abolish nearly 2,000 teaching positions which support students<br />
with special needs?<br />
(2) What is the Government's position?<br />
Answer—<br />
(1) Yes.<br />
(2) There is no plan to abolish any teaching positions. This Government is increasing the support to<br />
students with special needs with funding for special education increasing to $1.106 billion in the<br />
2009⁄2010 financial year.<br />
<strong>New</strong> positions, known as School Learning Support Teachers, are currently the subject <strong>of</strong> consultation<br />
as part <strong>of</strong> a proposed new program to be known as the School Learning Support Program.<br />
These proposals are currently the subject <strong>of</strong> consultation with key groups including principals,<br />
parents, advocacy groups and unions which will continue until the middle <strong>of</strong> 2010, while the<br />
proposal is trialled in two regions. An evaluation <strong>of</strong> the existing School Learning Support<br />
Coordinator initiative is also currently underway.<br />
<strong>No</strong> decision about the future <strong>of</strong> this proposal will be made until the consultations, trials and<br />
evaluation are finalised.<br />
*7443 WESTERN PATHOLOGY CLUSTER—Mr Andrew Constance asked the Deputy Premier, Minister for<br />
Climate Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney General,<br />
Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President <strong>of</strong><br />
the Executive Council—<br />
(1) Is the Minister aware <strong>of</strong> concerns from GPs and VMOs about the Western Pathology Cluster and the<br />
reporting <strong>of</strong> results?<br />
(2) What is being done to rectify these concerns?<br />
(3) Are GPs and VMOs opting to use other services due to the performance <strong>of</strong> the public pathology<br />
service in Greater <strong>South</strong>ern Area Health Service?<br />
Answer—<br />
I am advised:<br />
(1) and (2) Correspondence was received in August 2009 from the <strong>South</strong>ern General Practice Network<br />
Ltd regarding the pathology services provided by the Western Pathology Cluster.<br />
In response the Western Pathology Cluster Executive formulated an action plan to address the issues<br />
raised. The Action Plan includes:<br />
• The establishment <strong>of</strong> a clinical feedback group comprising representative GPs from Greater<br />
<strong>South</strong>ern Area Health Services to validate and design decisions prior to implementation <strong>of</strong> any<br />
new system.<br />
• Communication strategies implemented by Western Pathology Cluster in the form <strong>of</strong> update<br />
notification and personal communications to doctors regarding issues raised.<br />
• Western Pathology Cluster Executive conducting operational meetings with the Executive <strong>of</strong><br />
Greater <strong>South</strong>ern Area Health Services to ensure progression <strong>of</strong> agreed actions.<br />
To date, all agreed actions have been put into operation. While significant improvements have been made<br />
regarding the issues raised, the Western Pathology Cluster will continue to seek feedback from General<br />
Practitioners, to further improve the quality <strong>of</strong> results.<br />
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