Media Release.
Queenslanders
must continue to receive detailed information about the things that go
wrong in public and private hospitals says Shadow Health Minister Jo-Ann
Miller.
“As
the latest findings of the Health Quality and Complaints Commission
reveal that more than 200 people died as a result of human error or
systemic failings in Queensland hospitals in 2012/13,
it should concern everyone who believes in transparency and
accountability that Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has abolished
the organisation,” Mrs Miller said.
“This
will be one of the last reports from the Commission and it is by no
means clear that the Newman Government has any intention to report the
facts with such honesty and clarity in future."
“The
Commission was established by the previous Labor Government and since
2005/6 one of its important functions has been to lay bare the details
of mistakes which cost lives and cause unnecessary
suffering so important lessons can be learnt."
“Human
error is a fact of life and when it occurs in life or death situations
there are inevitable consequences, but it is entirely wrong for the
Government of the day to try to cover up those
mistakes from public scrutiny."
“Mr
Springborg is replacing the Commission with a Health Ombudsman to deal
with complaints, but we share the concerns of those who fear the new
entity will lack the independence and teeth
of the Commission."
“The
Health Quality and Complaints Commission provides much more than raw
data. It reviews root cause analyses of reportable events
and is able to instruct institutions to improve procedures in response to concerns."
“It
is of grave concern that the Ombudsman will not have a quality
assurance function nor the power to instruct public and private
hospitals to make changes that will reduce risks to patients."
“Independence
will be lost along with transparency and it is up to the Health
Minister to explain why he wants to hide vital information from
Queenslanders.”
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