From today, the former Calvary Public Hospital Bruce will be known at North Canberra Hospital. Operations of Canberra’s northside acute public hospital and Clare Holland House hospice transitioned to Canberra Health Services today.

The ACT Government claims this will create an integrated, single network public hospital system across the ACT, and that Calvary’s services and skilled and compassionate staff will remain unchanged.

• Why the ACT Government wants Calvary Public Hospital (1 June)
• Canberra Liberals: “You cannot trust this government…” (1 June)
• Supreme Court upholds Calvary takeover bill (9 June)
• Coalition senators call for federal intervention into Calvary (15 June)
• Clare Holland House will transfer to Canberra Health Services (26 June)

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the consolidation of services will ultimately benefit every aspect of Canberra’s public hospitals – from maternity and paediatric services to the emergency departments.

“Creating a single network will means we can better coordinate health and hospital services, with resources and hospital load distributed more effectively,” Ms Stephen-Smith said. “This change will enable the Government to strengthen the capacity of our workforce, plan infrastructure on a Territory-wide basis and improve health outcomes for all Canberrans.

“There will be more opportunities for our acute hospitals to work together, without having to manage a complex contractual relationship, to deliver improved models of care and services. We have already heard from team members with great ideas about improving processes and will continue to listen to suggestions and feedback as we move forward.

“While today is an important milestone, there is still much work to be done to complete the transition and I thank everyone involved for their ongoing commitment to that work.”

1,781 staff, including the entire Executive team, have transitioned their employment to Canberra Health Services.

“While the last couple of months have been challenging, our team is looking forward to continue providing care to people living on the northside of Canberra,” the hospital’s general manager, Dr Elaine Pretorius, said.

“We will continue to demonstrate our deeply-held values and culture, regardless of the banner under which we work.

“Our team knows that our culture is not captured in a logo or the branding on a uniform. Our culture is in our shared purpose – the way we treat each other and our patients.

“We will continue to honour the hospital’s proud history by focusing on the care and wellbeing of our patients, their family, and our community. I look forward in working with our team as we embark on an exciting future for public health services in the ACT.”

Calvary staff will still be able to transition beyond Monday 3 July, and are encouraged to contact the Transition Team for support.

“The Transition Team and Calvary leadership have worked incredibly hard to support staff to make decisions and complete the tasks that were critical before 3 July,” Ms Stephen-Smith said. “The safety and wellbeing of staff and patients has been central to their planning, and I thank them for their commitment and hard work.

“I know this has been a very emotional time for the workforce, and some may be feeling anxious and overwhelmed over the coming weeks. Canberra Health Services will make every effort to ensure staff have the information and support they need to continue doing their valued work.”

Canberra Health Services aims to minimise disruption as much as possible throughout the transition for staff, patients, carers, and visitors, Ms Stephen-Smith said. People can expect to see an increase in vehicles on the North Canberra Hospital campus, changes to signage and uniforms, and more Transition Team members throughout the hospital to answer questions and to support staff on the ground with necessary changes.

“Today is an opportunity to recognise current and former staff of Calvary Public Hospital for their contribution to caring for the Canberra community,” Ms Stephen-Smith said. “In my conversations with staff, it is clear they have a commitment to delivering compassionate, professional and high quality public health care.

“Calvary Health Care will continue to be an important partner in the delivery of health care services across the ACT through its private hospitals and aged care facilities. While this has been a difficult and challenging time, the ACT Government is committed to maintaining a good relationship with Calvary Health Care as a valued partner in the delivery of health care services in the ACT.”

More to come.