Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
A change of page right now, And as I said,
we wouldn't usually have a Minister and the Chief Minister
on the same morning, but it is a busy day today.
And joining me on the line right now is the
Minister for Health. He also has the portfolio of Housing,
Steve Edgington. Good morning to your minister, Good.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Morning Katie, and good morning to the listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Now, Minister, there's been quite a few topics come up
over the last few weeks in the area of health,
so we were keen to get you on. Last week
we spoke about the hydro therapy poul at Palmerston Regional Hospital. Now, Minister,
the pool's been closed now to external disability providers and
those wanting to use it, as I understand as in Territorians.
(00:41):
Can you explain why that decision was made and was
there any consultation with the people who actually sort of
rely on that facility.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Yeah, Look, there's been ongoing consultation, but I want to
make it very clear that the pool is open and
those that have a referral from a medical specialist or
a GP private practicing allied professional. That's always been the
case where that referral needs to be made for somebody
to use that pool.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
So how come it's the situation with the likes of
Robin Burridge, who we spoke to last week. But also
we had some grandparents get in contact with us about
their grandson with cerebral palsy who was also using that
pool who no longer can.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Yeah, well, I think the question needs to be checked
with each individual that wants access to that pool do
they have The real question is do they have a
referral from a medical specialist GP or one of their
private practicing allied professionals, because that's the standard that's been
in place for a number of years.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
So the only thing so that's not a new requirement.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
No, no, it's the only thing that changed was temporarily
when the Palmerston pool was out of action. You may
recall that the Palmerston City Council. I think it's the
swell facility out there in Palmerston that was being rebuilt
at the time. What the previous government did was allow
some access to the hydrotherapy pool at the hospital. But
(02:05):
now that that pool is open, the same rules apply
that have always applied, and that's that a referral is
needed from a medical specialist.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
So from what you're saying to me right now, for
those people who've been in contact with us with things
like cerebral palsy, those that are maybe bound to wheelchairs
that they do have access, but they need a referral
from their healthcare provider or from an allied health professional.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
That's been the rules that have been in place. As
I said, the only changes that were made was back
when the redevelopment of the Palmestan Pool was underway.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
So it sort of sounds like you're saying that maybe
they're confused about whether they can use it or not.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Well, I think these are the issues. There has been
ongoing consultation for a number of months after we came
into government. That this came up very quickly when we
came into government, but there has been ongoing consultation with
all of the previous that US users of the hydro
therapy pool at Palmeston. But the rules that have been
in place and continue to be in places that firstly,
(03:08):
the Palmestan Pool is now open for those casual users
that want to use the facilities, but to use the
hydro therapy pool at the Palmestan Hospital, there needs to
be rules in place it's not a public no.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
I get that, but you're talking about you know, like
we're talking about people with disabilities. We're not talking about
opening it willy nilly. You know, you're talking about people
who genuinely need hydro therapy the hydro therapy pool. And
I guess I'm just really conscious here now that you
know these people have got really serious concerns around this,
and you know, I don't want it to be a
(03:43):
situation where you and I then get off the phone
and it goes back to they're saying, Katie, I'm still
not able to access the pool. So what guarantee is
there for those people that have contacted me saying that
they're not able to access it anymore and that it
has changed. What guarantee is there for them that they're going.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
To be able to What I can say, Katie, is
what I've said before, is that if somebody has a
referral from a medical specialist, a GP or a private
practicing allied health professional, then they need to bring that
referral and they'll have access to the facility. That's the
advice I have. That's the rules that have been in place.
(04:24):
If people have a referral they're not getting access to
the pool, then in my view, I have a genuine
complaint and I'd like to know more about them.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
So, I mean, I know that when we spoke to
Disability advocate Robin Burridge last week, she's really keen to
have a chat to you about it. She's really keen
to sit down with you about it. You know, she
doesn't like She just wants to make sure that you
know that Territorians who need to access this pool can
access access this pool.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Are you prepared to sit down with her and have
a chat?
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Well, I think there has been ongoing conversations with Robin
and what I have been informed is that Robin has
been spoken to by the Health Department and the referral process.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
You're not prepared to.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Oh, look, if I have time over the next few weeks,
I could possibly speak to Robin, But what I would
say is that the referral process is in place. I
haven't had a chance to speak to Robin, but I
know over the next few weeks but there may be
an opportunity coming up. But at this stage, what I
can say is that they're the rules in place and
if Robin has a different opinion, I'd love to speak
(05:24):
to her about that to find out what the barriers
are to her.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Yeah, well, this is the thing I one hundred percent agree.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
That's why I think if she's got barriers to being
able to access it, If grandparents are telling me that
their grandchild with cerebral palsy is having barriers to access it,
I think it's really important that there is a way
that they're able to communicate that with you, aside.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
From joepy Marie. And look, if people are still maintaining
that they can't get access after they have those referrals
from their specialist or GP or allied health professional, I'll
follow up and find out what's happening in that space.
But what I can confirm that's the rules for having
access to the hydrotherapy pool. It's not a public pool.
(06:04):
It's there for specific users that need to use that
hydro therapy pool. And if that's not being abided by,
then I'd certainly like to know more because I want
to ensure that those that need access should happened.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Absolutely, because it's paid for by the territory taxpayer. So
certainly my expectation is is that if there are people
with disabilities that need to be able to access that pool.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
They should be able.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
To Minister, Let's move along because there is a lot
that I want to get through and we've both got
a short amount of time. We recently spoke about the
pressures on St. John Ambulance and ramping at the hospital.
After a young lady was forced to wait hours for
an ambulance after being injured at a dance concert. She
had then to wait further while the ambulance ramped at
the hospital. Now, we spoke to Saint John who explained
(06:48):
that over a three month period they'd spent two thousand
hours ramped at the hospital. What's your government doing to
urgently address this.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Situation issues around ramping And I don't have the full
detail in front of me, but what I will say
around ramping is that we've spoken many times, Cody, about
access to beds in the hospital. This is an ongoing
issue that we have and one of the biggest factors
is that ten percent of our beds across the Northern
Territory are taken up by age care patients. Now this
(07:20):
on any given day, Cody, there's up to sixty to
eighty age care patients that have been deemed fit for
release from the hospital, but there is no age care
facilities for them here in the Northern Territory. What we
do know is that the federal government promised an election
commitment back in April this year of sixty million dollars
to build one hundred and twenty bed facility. What we've
(07:41):
heard is absolutely zilch about that. So far. There was
a grant process and the results of that grant process
were recently released and the only money coming into the
Northern Territory is going to areas outside of Darwen, and
I am fortunate because one of those areas is Tenant Creek.
But there has been no commitments besides the election commitment
from people like Luke Gosling that they would build a
(08:03):
commit sixty million for one hundred and twenty bed facility
in Darwin. But we've heard zilt share since.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
So there hasn't sort of been a request to the
Northern Territory Health Department to liaise with the Federal Health
Department on what's this going to look like or anything
like that. What you're saying is that it's at a
complete standstill.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
What I'm saying is that a standstill is what we've heard.
Nothing from the federal member in Solomon about where this
facility is up to. There has been ongoing conversations between
officials in our Health Department and the Commonwealth to find
out where this process is up to. We've committed to
making land available at the Palmestan Hospital. We've committed money
(08:42):
to do the headworks at the Palmeston Hospital. But what
we need now is a commitment from the federal government
to build this facility in Darwen.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
What about the maternity services you'd put in a request
as I understand, it's thirty five odd million when it
comes to those maternity services to the federal government.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Now.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Luke Gosling, the last time we spoke to him about
this topic, which was a number of weeks ago, he'd
sort of indicated that they were waiting on further information
from you and from the NT Health Department. But what's
the situation from your perspective, because I guess it feels
like there's r gibarji from the federal government and the
Northern Territory government. All the while we've got women advocating
(09:20):
and really pushing for increased maternity services and more choices
for Northern Territory women.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Look we're committed to ensuring that there are further choices
and what we have done, Katie, what the Northern Territory
government done has done, and I as the Minister for Health,
we've written to the Commonwealth Minister, Minister Butler, and we've
asked for thirty five million dollars. Those negotiations are continuing.
But one of the most frustrating things from my perspective
(09:49):
is it to I constantly hear the Member for Solomon
complaining winging, saying that we haven't done things. We've done
everything possible to ask for the thirty five million. What
I would like to see is, rather than the Member
for Solomon, Luke Goslin complaining winging, what I want to
see him do is sit down with his federal member
(10:09):
and start advocating for the Northern Territory. Because what he
hasn't done is sat back and advocated for the Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
I mean to defend him, though, Are you doing everything
that you need to do as the Northern Territory Health
Minister to get this money? Have you provided all of
those details that are required.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Yes, we've provided all of those details and those negotiations.
I did meet with the Minister Butler in Perth a
few weeks ago at the National Health Minister's meeting, and
those matters are still under discussion with the Minister Butler.
So look, everything has been provided, we're waiting for an answer.
But what I want to see is the Federal Minister
to stop playing games with this, get behind this, get
(10:52):
behind this submission so that we can have changes to
the maternity ward. But moving forward, moving forward, of course,
the it health system we know is in the receivership.
We know that Healthscote went into receivership. Some of that
work is still underway at a federal level, so the
receivers are working with the proponents that have made submissions
(11:12):
about buying private hospitals right around the country. But of course,
what we want to see and what we have been
advocating for, is that if there is a new provider,
a new purchaser of the dah And private hospital, what
we are strongly advocating for is that maternity be part
of that service.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Okay, well, look we'll talk more about that at another
time really quickly, because we're both fast running out of time.
On housing, I know you've got the housing portfolio. We
are regularly contacted by people living next door to problem
public housing tenants. Now I thought that the government were
going to be making some announcements around housing when it
comes to dealing with problem tenants. Where are things at,
(11:51):
when's that going to be happening.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Oh? Look, what we have been doing is that there's
been a lot of work going on within the department
that since I made someone now that we were tightening
up on a whole range of issues and looking at
the policy changes. So look, just since March when we
made the announcement, there's been eight tenancies that have been terminated.
There's currently seventeen matters KD before the Northern Territory Civil
(12:15):
and Administrative Tribe Unit, which we know is anti KAT
so at the same time, we've also made a number
of unit complexes right around the Northern Territory. We've made
them alcohol restricted areas, so all of the common areas
now in these public large unit complexes are now alcohol
restricted areas. But at the same time, we have been
(12:36):
working very closely with the police and recently we announced
the Police Public Housing Police Public Safety Offices will be
introduced later this year. So this is all part of
the process and part of our plan to reduce anti
social behavior and crime in and around public housing here
in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Minister, we might have to get you on another day
about housing because ex lines blown up, but I know
you've got to go and I've got my next guest on.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
The hold, so we'll have to leave it there.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
Thank you so much for your time this morning, Minister
for Health and Housing, Kristin Veedgington, Thank.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
You, Codin. We will catch up again soon.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
Thank you, Thanks so much.
A change of page right now, And as I said,
we wouldn't usually have a Minister and the Chief Minister
on the same morning, but it is a busy day today.
And joining me on the line right now is the
Minister for Health. He also has the portfolio of Housing,
Steve Edgington. Good morning to your minister, Good.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Morning Katie, and good morning to the listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Now, Minister, there's been quite a few topics come up
over the last few weeks in the area of health,
so we were keen to get you on. Last week
we spoke about the hydro therapy poul at Palmerston Regional Hospital. Now, Minister,
the pool's been closed now to external disability providers and
those wanting to use it, as I understand as in Territorians.
(00:41):
Can you explain why that decision was made and was
there any consultation with the people who actually sort of
rely on that facility.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Yeah, Look, there's been ongoing consultation, but I want to
make it very clear that the pool is open and
those that have a referral from a medical specialist or
a GP private practicing allied professional. That's always been the
case where that referral needs to be made for somebody
to use that pool.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
So how come it's the situation with the likes of
Robin Burridge, who we spoke to last week. But also
we had some grandparents get in contact with us about
their grandson with cerebral palsy who was also using that
pool who no longer can.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Yeah, well, I think the question needs to be checked
with each individual that wants access to that pool do
they have The real question is do they have a
referral from a medical specialist GP or one of their
private practicing allied professionals, because that's the standard that's been
in place for a number of years.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
So the only thing so that's not a new requirement.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
No, no, it's the only thing that changed was temporarily
when the Palmerston pool was out of action. You may
recall that the Palmerston City Council. I think it's the
swell facility out there in Palmerston that was being rebuilt
at the time. What the previous government did was allow
some access to the hydrotherapy pool at the hospital. But
(02:05):
now that that pool is open, the same rules apply
that have always applied, and that's that a referral is
needed from a medical specialist.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
So from what you're saying to me right now, for
those people who've been in contact with us with things
like cerebral palsy, those that are maybe bound to wheelchairs
that they do have access, but they need a referral
from their healthcare provider or from an allied health professional.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
That's been the rules that have been in place. As
I said, the only changes that were made was back
when the redevelopment of the Palmestan Pool was underway.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
So it sort of sounds like you're saying that maybe
they're confused about whether they can use it or not.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Well, I think these are the issues. There has been
ongoing consultation for a number of months after we came
into government. That this came up very quickly when we
came into government, but there has been ongoing consultation with
all of the previous that US users of the hydro
therapy pool at Palmeston. But the rules that have been
in place and continue to be in places that firstly,
(03:08):
the Palmestan Pool is now open for those casual users
that want to use the facilities, but to use the
hydro therapy pool at the Palmestan Hospital, there needs to
be rules in place it's not a public no.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
I get that, but you're talking about you know, like
we're talking about people with disabilities. We're not talking about
opening it willy nilly. You know, you're talking about people
who genuinely need hydro therapy the hydro therapy pool. And
I guess I'm just really conscious here now that you
know these people have got really serious concerns around this,
and you know, I don't want it to be a
(03:43):
situation where you and I then get off the phone
and it goes back to they're saying, Katie, I'm still
not able to access the pool. So what guarantee is
there for those people that have contacted me saying that
they're not able to access it anymore and that it
has changed. What guarantee is there for them that they're going.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
To be able to What I can say, Katie, is
what I've said before, is that if somebody has a
referral from a medical specialist, a GP or a private
practicing allied health professional, then they need to bring that
referral and they'll have access to the facility. That's the
advice I have. That's the rules that have been in place.
(04:24):
If people have a referral they're not getting access to
the pool, then in my view, I have a genuine
complaint and I'd like to know more about them.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
So, I mean, I know that when we spoke to
Disability advocate Robin Burridge last week, she's really keen to
have a chat to you about it. She's really keen
to sit down with you about it. You know, she
doesn't like She just wants to make sure that you
know that Territorians who need to access this pool can
access access this pool.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Are you prepared to sit down with her and have
a chat?
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Well, I think there has been ongoing conversations with Robin
and what I have been informed is that Robin has
been spoken to by the Health Department and the referral process.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
You're not prepared to.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Oh, look, if I have time over the next few weeks,
I could possibly speak to Robin, But what I would
say is that the referral process is in place. I
haven't had a chance to speak to Robin, but I
know over the next few weeks but there may be
an opportunity coming up. But at this stage, what I
can say is that they're the rules in place and
if Robin has a different opinion, I'd love to speak
(05:24):
to her about that to find out what the barriers
are to her.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Yeah, well, this is the thing I one hundred percent agree.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
That's why I think if she's got barriers to being
able to access it, If grandparents are telling me that
their grandchild with cerebral palsy is having barriers to access it,
I think it's really important that there is a way
that they're able to communicate that with you, aside.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
From joepy Marie. And look, if people are still maintaining
that they can't get access after they have those referrals
from their specialist or GP or allied health professional, I'll
follow up and find out what's happening in that space.
But what I can confirm that's the rules for having
access to the hydrotherapy pool. It's not a public pool.
(06:04):
It's there for specific users that need to use that
hydro therapy pool. And if that's not being abided by,
then I'd certainly like to know more because I want
to ensure that those that need access should happened.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Absolutely, because it's paid for by the territory taxpayer. So
certainly my expectation is is that if there are people
with disabilities that need to be able to access that pool.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
They should be able.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
To Minister, Let's move along because there is a lot
that I want to get through and we've both got
a short amount of time. We recently spoke about the
pressures on St. John Ambulance and ramping at the hospital.
After a young lady was forced to wait hours for
an ambulance after being injured at a dance concert. She
had then to wait further while the ambulance ramped at
the hospital. Now, we spoke to Saint John who explained
(06:48):
that over a three month period they'd spent two thousand
hours ramped at the hospital. What's your government doing to
urgently address this.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Situation issues around ramping And I don't have the full
detail in front of me, but what I will say
around ramping is that we've spoken many times, Cody, about
access to beds in the hospital. This is an ongoing
issue that we have and one of the biggest factors
is that ten percent of our beds across the Northern
Territory are taken up by age care patients. Now this
(07:20):
on any given day, Cody, there's up to sixty to
eighty age care patients that have been deemed fit for
release from the hospital, but there is no age care
facilities for them here in the Northern Territory. What we
do know is that the federal government promised an election
commitment back in April this year of sixty million dollars
to build one hundred and twenty bed facility. What we've
(07:41):
heard is absolutely zilch about that. So far. There was
a grant process and the results of that grant process
were recently released and the only money coming into the
Northern Territory is going to areas outside of Darwen, and
I am fortunate because one of those areas is Tenant Creek.
But there has been no commitments besides the election commitment
from people like Luke Gosling that they would build a
(08:03):
commit sixty million for one hundred and twenty bed facility
in Darwin. But we've heard zilt share since.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
So there hasn't sort of been a request to the
Northern Territory Health Department to liaise with the Federal Health
Department on what's this going to look like or anything
like that. What you're saying is that it's at a
complete standstill.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
What I'm saying is that a standstill is what we've heard.
Nothing from the federal member in Solomon about where this
facility is up to. There has been ongoing conversations between
officials in our Health Department and the Commonwealth to find
out where this process is up to. We've committed to
making land available at the Palmestan Hospital. We've committed money
(08:42):
to do the headworks at the Palmeston Hospital. But what
we need now is a commitment from the federal government
to build this facility in Darwen.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
What about the maternity services you'd put in a request
as I understand, it's thirty five odd million when it
comes to those maternity services to the federal government.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Now.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Luke Gosling, the last time we spoke to him about
this topic, which was a number of weeks ago, he'd
sort of indicated that they were waiting on further information
from you and from the NT Health Department. But what's
the situation from your perspective, because I guess it feels
like there's r gibarji from the federal government and the
Northern Territory government. All the while we've got women advocating
(09:20):
and really pushing for increased maternity services and more choices
for Northern Territory women.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Look we're committed to ensuring that there are further choices
and what we have done, Katie, what the Northern Territory
government done has done, and I as the Minister for Health,
we've written to the Commonwealth Minister, Minister Butler, and we've
asked for thirty five million dollars. Those negotiations are continuing.
But one of the most frustrating things from my perspective
(09:49):
is it to I constantly hear the Member for Solomon
complaining winging, saying that we haven't done things. We've done
everything possible to ask for the thirty five million. What
I would like to see is, rather than the Member
for Solomon, Luke Goslin complaining winging, what I want to
see him do is sit down with his federal member
(10:09):
and start advocating for the Northern Territory. Because what he
hasn't done is sat back and advocated for the Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
I mean to defend him, though, Are you doing everything
that you need to do as the Northern Territory Health
Minister to get this money? Have you provided all of
those details that are required.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Yes, we've provided all of those details and those negotiations.
I did meet with the Minister Butler in Perth a
few weeks ago at the National Health Minister's meeting, and
those matters are still under discussion with the Minister Butler.
So look, everything has been provided, we're waiting for an answer.
But what I want to see is the Federal Minister
to stop playing games with this, get behind this, get
(10:52):
behind this submission so that we can have changes to
the maternity ward. But moving forward, moving forward, of course,
the it health system we know is in the receivership.
We know that Healthscote went into receivership. Some of that
work is still underway at a federal level, so the
receivers are working with the proponents that have made submissions
(11:12):
about buying private hospitals right around the country. But of course,
what we want to see and what we have been
advocating for, is that if there is a new provider,
a new purchaser of the dah And private hospital, what
we are strongly advocating for is that maternity be part
of that service.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Okay, well, look we'll talk more about that at another
time really quickly, because we're both fast running out of time.
On housing, I know you've got the housing portfolio. We
are regularly contacted by people living next door to problem
public housing tenants. Now I thought that the government were
going to be making some announcements around housing when it
comes to dealing with problem tenants. Where are things at,
(11:51):
when's that going to be happening.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Oh? Look, what we have been doing is that there's
been a lot of work going on within the department
that since I made someone now that we were tightening
up on a whole range of issues and looking at
the policy changes. So look, just since March when we
made the announcement, there's been eight tenancies that have been terminated.
There's currently seventeen matters KD before the Northern Territory Civil
(12:15):
and Administrative Tribe Unit, which we know is anti KAT
so at the same time, we've also made a number
of unit complexes right around the Northern Territory. We've made
them alcohol restricted areas, so all of the common areas
now in these public large unit complexes are now alcohol
restricted areas. But at the same time, we have been
(12:36):
working very closely with the police and recently we announced
the Police Public Housing Police Public Safety Offices will be
introduced later this year. So this is all part of
the process and part of our plan to reduce anti
social behavior and crime in and around public housing here
in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Minister, we might have to get you on another day
about housing because ex lines blown up, but I know
you've got to go and I've got my next guest on.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
The hold, so we'll have to leave it there.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
Thank you so much for your time this morning, Minister
for Health and Housing, Kristin Veedgington, Thank.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
You, Codin. We will catch up again soon.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
Thank you, Thanks so much.
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Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!