No. 22

ATTRACTING AND RETAINING A SKILLED HEALTH WORKFORCE

The 2006–07 ACT Budget will provide $4.153 million over four years to address the crucial area of health workforce recruitment and retention.

The initiative includes a number of inter-dependent actions that form a comprehensive strategy to target key areas of workforce shortage. 

“ACT Health’s ability to deliver quality health care services in the future is dependent on an available workforce that has the skills to meet the health care requirements of an ageing population and an increase in chronic diseases,” Health Minister Katy Gallagher said.

“To achieve this a range of strategies that focus on attraction and retention of the ACT health workforce have been developed. 

“These strategies incorporate scholarships, supportive workplace environments, capacity building, employment arrangements and better management of workforce resources.

“They are integral to a comprehensive strategy that aims to attract and retain highly skilled health workers to the ACT health system by establishing the ACT as a preferred employer.  

“This strategy is aligned with work that is occurring across the Government to promote and showcase Canberra as a place to live and work.  

“The 2006-07 Budget response is essential to the ACT achieving a competitive advantage over some of the larger jurisdictions.”

Funding under this initiative will go towards:
•	the retention and recruitment of nurses and midwives;
•	an Allied Health Workforce Strategy; and 
•	the establishment of a Medical Appointments Training Unit.