1307.8 - Australian Capital Territory in Focus, 2007  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/11/2007  Ceased
   Page tools:  
Contents >> Health >> Health Professionals

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Health statistics provide information about people's health and the provision of health services. The World Health Organisation has defined health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition of health is reflected in changing attitudes towards health care, where emphasis is now placed on preventative measures to protect health. Preventative measures involve the identification and avoidance of health risk factors and the greater involvement of communities in the management and organisation of health services.


Health services in the ACT are provided by the Commonwealth, the ACT Government, private individuals, companies and voluntary organisations. Health care is available from public and private hospitals, medical practitioners and a broad range of community health services concerned with both the treatment and prevention of ill health. All health professionals are required, under statutory authority, to register annually with the board established for each profession.


At 30 June 2006, there were 9,500 registered health professionals in the ACT, up 300 practitioners from in 2005 (9,200). Seventy-six per cent of this increase was due to Registered nurses (up 200 practitioners).


Registered nurses recorded the highest number of registered health professionals in the ACT in 2006 (4,500), more than double that of the next largest occupation, Medical practitioners (2,000).


The numbers of persons employed as Dental hygienists, Optometrists or Pharmacists declined between 2005 and 2006.

7.1 REGISTERED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, By occupation: ACT - 30 June 2006

2004
2005
2006
no.
no.
no.

Chiropractors
49
53
59
Dental hygienists
41
45
41
Dental specialists
38
38
43
Dental technicians
82
82
84
Dentists
250
250
264
Enrolled nurses
782
804
826
Medical practitioners
1 945
2 046
2 056
Optometrists
94
96
83
Osteopaths
33
36
36
Pharmacists
365
396
387
Physiotherapists
354
365
382
Podiatrists
46
40
45
Psychologists
660
706
719
Registered nurses
3 902
4 256
4 469
Total
8 641
9 213
9 494

ACT Health, Annual Report 2005-2006.



Previous PageNext Page