Construction at Canberra's new rehabilitation hospital has finished as ACT Health embarks on a major recruitment drive.
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Minister for Health Meegan Fitzharris yesterday toured the new purpose built hospital - its official name University of Canberra Hospital: Specialist Centre for Rehabilitation, Recovery & Research - which is due to open in mid-2018.
It comes after the doctors' union raised concerns specialists do not want to work in the ACT public system over concerns of bad culture, poor relationships with management, lack of incentives and layers of bureaucracy.
The specialist rehabilitation, recovery and research hospital will offer physical and mental health services by referral, including tailored inpatient and outpatient programs.
Hundreds of staff from ACT Health and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce will gradually be relocated to the University of Canberra Hospital, along with new staff currently being recruited.
Ms Fitzharris said it would take pressure off the two acute hospitals and give patients clear pathways as they recover.
The hospital includes specially designed features to support recovery, including a hydrotherapy pool, rehabilitation courtyards, gymnasiums and kitchens.
At full capacity it will have 140 overnight inpatient beds, 75 day places and additional outpatient services and 300 staff.
It comes as the government embarks on a large recruiting campaign which is focussed on attracting and retaining health specialists.
The campaign will highlight Canberra's livability, the growing opportunities across the health sector and the "buzz" around Canberra as a great place to live.
Responding to claims from Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation ACT that doctors were being put off by a bad culture within ACT health, Ms Fitzharris said investment, work and research opportunities were laying a foundation for a strong working culture.
"There are challenges in every workplace and like hospitals around the country we have seen some issues in the past around culture," she said.
"But I am very confident from the highest levels of the directorate and from the government that we are making major investments in the ACT health facilities and services and it is vital to have a positive culture.
"Being able to provide new facilities to work in, being able to provide partnerships for research and training and to have multidisciplinary service planning under way - which we know that health professionals want - those are the sorts of things upon which you build a healthy culture.
"And I am confident that that work has gotten underway."
Ms Fitzharris said the Territory-wide Health Services Framework is now in place and will guide health service delivery for the next ten years with a specific focus on ensuring career satisfaction is high within ACT Health.
"There will be a strong focus on management and leadership training opportunities, supporting clinicians to diversify their skills and take on more senior roles, and improving pathways for students to progress into the ACT Health workforce," she said.
"Attracting and retaining health specialists to Canberra will be a priority to not only help resource our expanding public healthcare sector, but also ensure we tackle some of our biggest challenges when it comes to elective surgery. Specialist areas that will be a focus include ear nose and throat specialists and anaesthetists, as well as psychiatrists."
