DHF Annual Report 2009 - NT Health Digital Library - Northern ...

The Department has continued its efforts to tacklethese and other determinants of health. In step withchanges in the broader community, for example theextension of smoking bans in licensed premises, theDepartment is making its own efforts to tackle smokingin the workplace. Like other employers we continue towork to provide our staff and customers with a safeenvironment, so from 1 July 2009 a DepartmentalwideSmoke Free Policy was introduced, covering hospitals, and Departmental vehicles. To help ourpatients and staff we have offered smoking cessationsupport, such as nicotine replacement therapy, whichhas been shown to help people to quit.Like the rest of Australia, the Northern Territorystands at the threshold of health sector reform. InMay the Northern Territory Government joined otherjurisdictions in signing up to a milestone agreementthat will lead to the introduction of national healthreform. This marks a fundamental shift in the wayhealth care is funded and delivered. Changes arecoming to the way general practice and primary healthcare are funded with the Australian Governmentassuming full funding and policy responsibilities. Inaddition, the Australian Government will become aThe critical issues will be to protect what works wellin our health sector while working hard to ensure thatwe remain active, engaged and open to new ways ofworking that deliver better outcomes for Territorians. well and is on the front foot on many of the issuesassociated with this reform.reforms but also from our ongoing work to do betterhere at home. The Department has been a majorcontributor, along with the Territory community in thedevelopment of the Territory 2030 strategic plan whichis the Government’s road map for the future. Some ofour Territory 2030 objectives are to reform the Territoryhealth system, focus on better lifestyle practices andmore comprehensive out-of-hospital support. To this new facilities in the past year.These include the $27 million Radiation OncologyUnit in Darwin and Barbara James House, a$4 million accommodation facility for cancer patientsand their families, who need to be in Darwin toaccess cancer treatment. Construction of thePalmerston GP Super Clinic nears completion,with the adjacent Palmerston Urgent Care AfterHours Service already providing care from 6.00 pmuntil 8.00 am, seven days a week.In late 2009 the Government announced anindependent Inquiry into the Child Protection System.The Board of Inquiry is due to present its report in thesecond half of 2010.The Department views the Inquiry as a valuableopportunity for analysis of how the Territory’scare and protection system needs to look in thefuture. The Department’s submission to the Inquiryexamined all areas of the child protection system,such as workforce retention and development, intake,statutory intervention, out of home care, legislation,the role of the non-government sector, the role ofother government agencies, services in rural andremote locations and support for families, includingservices for Indigenous children and families. on the professionalism and dedication of our manystaff members, be they in service provision, policyor support roles. I sincerely thank everyone for theirefforts over the past 12 months.On behalf of the Executive team I wish to thank thoseserving on the Advisory Councils and the Committeesthat provided valuable input and assisted us in theplanning and delivery of services. I would like toextend my appreciation to the many communitymembers who have supported our hospitals andother services as volunteers.I wish to note the departure of former Chief Executive,Dr David Ashbridge, who so ably led the Departmentover several years, including most of this year. Davidhas taken up an exciting new opportunity in a leadingrole in the Victorian Health system. His inspiringleadership helped make the Department theorganisation it now is, and we thank him for hiscontribution.I would also like to thank Mr Alan Wilson, who wasacted as Chief Executive for several months beforereturning to New Zealand to take up a senior healthexecutive position.Recognition and thanks also goes to Ms JennyCleary for her valuable contribution whilst acting inthe position of Chief Executive during the year.Our team has made a real difference in so manypeople’s lives, and we should all be proud ofour achievements. I thank you all for yourwonderful support.Department Health and Families 9