INPUT SOUGHT ON TWO NEW HEALTH PLANS

ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA said today that the release of two new health strategies was a positive step towards improving the responsiveness to the health care needs of women and people living with renal conditions.

The Minister was speaking about the release of two draft plans by ACT Health: Women's Health Plan Improving women's access to health care services and information and the Renal Health Services Plan 2009-2014.

"The documents have been developed to a stage where broader community input is now being sought," Ms Gallagher said.

"The Women's Health Plan provides the vision, principles and framework for planning and implementing health services for women of the ACT. The Plan articulates the need to target and improve the health outcomes of women who are disadvantaged including those women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

"The Renal Health Services Plan is about the delivery of services in the context of a projected significant increase in demand in the future and presents a bold direction for the provision of services in the community.

"The renal plan proposes that satellite dialysis and approximately half of projected outpatient activity be provided at Community Health Centres. While acute dialysis will be undertaken at the Canberra Hospital, the plan proposes home dialysis where patients can "self dialyse" if suitable," Ms Gallagher said.

The plans and details on how to submit comments can be found on the ACT Health website http://www.health.act.gov.au/ under community consultation.

Media Contact:

Kathryn Roberts
6205 0242
0402 399 907
kathryn.roberts@act.gov.au