Efforts to improve the workplace culture of the ACT’s public health services are heading in the right direction according to the first annual report of the Implementation of the Culture Review.
Minister for Health, Rachel-Stephen-Smith said the Review was the first of three annual external evaluations of the implementation and impact of the recommendations of last year’s independent review into the workplace culture of the ACT’s public health services.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the first annual review was undertaken by Mick Reid who had also chaired the Independent Review Panel and was well placed to assess progress.
“I am pleased to say that nearly all of those who were interviewed for this review thought that progress to date has been generally effective, given the relative short period of time since the Culture Review was finalised and implementation commenced,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“The report indicates that implementation of the 20 recommendations is tracking well, particularly those areas that are in the control of the individual arms of the health system,” she said.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the Review found that the whole-of-system recommendations had not progressed at the same pace, and the work would require an increased focus over the next year.
“Pleasingly, the report has highlighted a marked shift in a number of areas across the health system, with almost all members of the Oversight Group reporting some evident improvement in addressing bullying and harassment, executive leadership and human resource functions,” she said.
“I am pleased that this report has confirmed we are heading in the right direction, but I know there remains more to do.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said cultural change took time and would require sustained efforts over several years.
