Canberra’s health care workers are to be better supported following ACT Health launching a 10-year plan to build and retain a sustainable health workforce.
Welcoming the ACT Health Workforce Strategy 2023-2032, the Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the strategy outlined the vision, principles, priorities and early actions to build and retain a sustainable health workforce.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the strategy took a holistic approach by looking across the entire health system including public health services, primary care, private health and non-government organisations.
“The ACT Health Workforce Strategy 2023-2032 aims to attract and retain our talented students to remain in the ACT and to recruit and retain new and experienced health care workers, supporting them to realise their ambitions and ensuring their wellbeing is always front of mind,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“The strategy has identified eight priority areas to target specific workforce needs, with 23 actions we are ready to commence right now, or that are already underway,” she said.
“From creating exciting career paths and investing in data intelligence, to ensuring we provide a culturally safe environment for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce, these priorities will help us deliver on our collective ambition to be the most capable health workforce in Australia.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said the Workforce Strategy would support a safe and innovative work environment where every employee felt valued and had the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
She said the strategy was designed with significant input from health professionals, public and private healthcare providers, education providers, unions, consumers, carers and across Government.
“I thank all those who have helped us get to this point and look forward to delivering the early actions and subsequent action plans in partnership with the health workforce and stakeholders,” the Minister for health said.
ACT Health’s 44-page strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
