The Canberra Liberals will today move a motion in the Legislative Assembly calling on the Labor-Greens government to guarantee that clinical services will be maintained without interruption during its compulsory takeover of Calvary Public Hospital.

Shadow Health Minister, Leanne Castley, said her motion also calls on the government to outline contingency plans to maintain adequate staffing, should not all current staff transition to CHS, or if its takeover is challenged in Court.

“The Australian Medical Association, the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Association have all expressed concern about the lack of consultation and speed of this takeover, and its potential to impact staffing levels and as a consequence patient care,” Ms Castley said.

“Federal Labor Member for Bean, David Smith, has also expressed concern about labour shortages and continuity of care, while former Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, has previously stated that compulsory acquisition 'would put the system into disarray'.

“I don’t believe the Health Minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith, has given any real thought to the disruption her government’s precipitate takeover of Calvary will cause,” Ms Castley said.

“What will happen if a significant number of Calvary staff don’t accept the offer to work at Canberra Health Services or if the transition is delayed by Calvary’s legal action?”

Ms Castley said her motion also called on the Government to rule out the possible use of the police to enforce the Government’s takeover of Calvary, which is provided for in the Government’s compulsory acquisition legislation.

“It’s bad enough to ram through this legislation without consultation with the affected parties. Being ultimately prepared to use the police to enforce it is not something which Canberrans would ever accept.”

The motion also calls on the Government to ensure that palliative care at Clare Holland House is not impacted by the takeover of Calvary’s community based palliative care services.