Today, 3 July, was zero day for Calvary Public Hospital Bruce: the day the ACT Government’s compulsory acquisition took effect, and the formerly Catholic hospital became North Canberra Hospital, run by Canberra Health Services. Clare Holland House, the only inpatient palliative care unit in the ACT, also transferred from Calvary to Canberra Health Services.

Health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith acknowledged that today would be “a day of mixed emotions” for staff. Nevertheless, the hospital’s general manager, Dr Elaine Pretorius, formerly Calvary’s executive director of medical services, said there was also a sense of excitement.

“To be frank, I think there’s a little bit of relief,” Dr Pretorius said. “You know what it’s like when you’re preparing for an exam and it’s finally here? I think that’s a similar feeling.”

The government’s compulsory acquisition has been controversial – condemned by the Canberra Liberals, by the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, and by the Australian Christian Lobby; welcomed by others who want a hospital free from religion – but the ACT government is adamant it has made the right decision.

“This hospital has always been a public hospital,” Ms Stephen-Smith said. “It’s always been fully funded by the public, and it will continue to be a public hospital, and it will continue to share this space with the private hospital that Calvary will continue to run, and [with] private medical clinics …

“The decision wasn’t made because Calvary is a religious organisation or a Catholic organisation. The decision was made because we need to invest a billion dollars into a new northside hospital. We need that land to be owned by the government, so the hospital itself will be owned by the people of Canberra. We want that hospital to be part of a single integrated healthcare network. We know from other jurisdictions that that is how we’re going to get the most efficient and effective care … Ultimately, this is going to be in the best interests of Canberrans.”

• Why the ACT Government wants Calvary Public Hospital (1 June)
• Canberra Liberals: “You cannot trust this government…” (1 June)

Staff transfer

Despite fears that staffing levels will not be maintained following the acquisition – in early June, only 120 staff had completed their transition forms, the Canberra Liberals pointed out – almost all staff have transferred to Canberra Health Services: around 1,800 staff, including the entire executive team.

• Canberra Liberals want ACT government to maintain Calvary (6 June)

That, Ms Stephen-Smith said, “gave the rest of the teams comfort that we meant what we said when we said it would be the same job in the same team on the same pay and conditions in the hospital with the same community feel and commitment to care and compassion, and it would be the same leadership”.

Only “a tiny fraction” of staff did not transfer, Dr Pretorius said: some took redundancy, and a small handful were not eligible to come across. The few rostering gaps are scattered across the organisation. She is confident that services will continue uninterrupted for the first couple of weeks.

“There are already good ideas coming from staff on the ground about some changes they would like to see,” Ms Stephen-Smith said: “Innovations, collaborations with the Canberra Hospital, University of Canberra Hospital, and some of the opportunities that come from being a single integrated healthcare network.”

Some staff, however, were concerned that the health minister had not spoken to them, saying she had not visited the hospital until today.

Systems transferred, religious iconography removed

Last night, the IT system that ensures staff are paid on time and accurately, and stores patient records, were transferred from Calvary to Canberra Health Services. That transfer was the biggest concern, Dr Pretorius said: “All went pretty smoothly overnight, so we’ve got a bit of a skip in our step this morning.”

Yesterday, Sunday, crosses at the hospital, a statue of the Madonna, and staff memorial stones were removed and placed into storage.

“There was sadness yesterday,” Dr Pretorius said. “Yesterday was a pretty wrenching day for all of us …

“We all felt a sense of sadness and a bit of loss. Over time, I am sure we will all still reflect on our time with Calvary, and every one of us have fond memories. But really, at some point we have to say, our main reason for being here is for looking after our community and to continue to provide the best possible care we can.”

Catholic Archbishop Christopher Prowse fulminated against the removal of the cross, as the ABC reported. “The very first thing a totalitarian government does, when it seizes Christian assets, the very first thing they all do … they take down the crucifix.”

Ms Stephen-Smith explained that the decision to remove religious iconography, including the cross, was made by Calvary.

“The ACT government made no determination about when that should occur, how that should occur,” the health minister said. “All of those decisions were left to Calvary. We’ll continue to work collaboratively with Calvary to respect any iconography that remains on site.”

That includes the chapel, “an important part of the site”, Ms Stephen-Smith said. “Hospitals have chapels and other places where people can sit for quiet reflection.”

Some opponents of the acquisition have claimed that the ACT government took over Calvary because they disapproved of its opposition to abortions and euthanasia. But no ACT public hospital terminates pregnancy, Dr Pretorius pointed out, nor will it suddenly appear here. Voluntary assisted dying is still under discussion. Clinicians can prescribe contraception.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision of 23 June that the acquisition was valid, a directions hearing will be heard this week about the regulation.

“My understanding is that Calvary are still reserving their position in relation to appealing the validity of the act,” Ms Stephen-Smith said. “I’m not sure what purpose that would serve at this point in time. It is obviously their choice whether to pursue that or not.”

The ACT government had amended the regulation to reflect the inclusion of Clare Holland House and feedback from the Supreme Court hearing and from Calvary itself about concerns with some clauses, Ms Stephen-Smith said.

The minister thanked those who had helped in the transition – in the hospital, the Calvary national transition team, Canberra Health Services, the ACT Health Directorate, and the Chief Minister’s Directorate – for their hard work.

She recognised the hospital and Clare Holland House staff, “who have worked through this transition period during this period of uncertainty, continuing to provide excellent and safe patient care”.

“Calvary has provided outstanding care to the people of Canberra and the surrounding regions for the past 44 years at this public hospital, and 28 years of hospice service, and continues to provide care to the Canberra community through its private hospitals and aged care facility. That will continue to be the case.

“The ACT government will continue to work collaboratively with Calvary as a very important part of our health system. We will continue to build and maintain those relationships.

“It’s been a difficult period, but we’ve come through to this important milestone by working together, and I have no doubt that we’ll continue to do that in the interests of Canberrans and those of the surrounding region who rely on the ACT to provide their healthcare.”