Back in late February we had a look at the proposed options for the future of hospitals in Canberra. In the poll our respondents were overly in favour of a new hospital and no expansion of Calvary.
But the Little Company of Mary has been fighting back today and have the Liberals’ Jeremy Hanson in their corner.
He’s put out a media release quoting a report by Deloitte Access which is not favourable about the consultation process and he’s cherry picked this bit:
‘Lack of transparency regarding touted benefits, gross failings in analytical rigour, and inadequacy in consultation methods is not a recipe of consistent, sound policy formulation or for economic of socially desirable outcomes,’ (Deloittes Access Economics, Pg ii)
The Little Company of Mary’s had this to say in a media release (their website appears to be having difficulties right now):
HEALTH CONSULTATION PROCESS FLAWED
13 April 2010Revelations today that the ACT Government would make a decision on the future of health services in Canberra next week showed its consultation process was flawed, Calvary Health Care ACT said.
Health Minister Katy Gallagher revealed on ABC 666 this morning that the Government would make a decision about future health options next week, despite the fact that the deadline for submissions from the community is only this Thursday 14 April.
When asked about the timetable for reaching a decision, Ms Gallagher said:
“All of the submissions close I think on the 14th and that’ll feed into some decisions we take next week.”
Morning program, ABC 666
13 April 2011Little Company of Mary Health Care Chair John Watkins said this raised serious questions about how genuine the consultation process has been.
“It would be helpful if the Minister were to clarify the decision-making process from here.
“Based on this morning’s comments, it’s difficult not to conclude that the consultation process is anything more than a window-dressing exercise.
“Community consultation is an important part of a vibrant democracy but it must be genuine, it can’t be a simple tick-a-box exercise that governments then try and fit to a pre-determined outcome,” Mr Watkins said.
“I would hope that the ACT Government would give proper consideration to the very detailed and expert submission we’ve made as part of the consultation process, and the considered contributions other stakeholders have no doubt made.
I’ve never observed Katy Gallagher’s office do anything with notable competence in ten long years. I’m sure they’ve managed something, but nothing springs to mind.
But it looks like we’re heading into the position of letting posturing on abortion determine the future of hospitals in Canberra.
That seems somewhat sub-optimal.