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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 10 Hansard (23 September) . . Page.. 3132 ..

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, on 27 August, Ms McRae asked me a question about the progress of investigations by the ACT Medical Board and the Health Complaints Commissioner into the allegations concerning a surgeon working in Canberra's public hospital system. While I am obviously limited in what I can say, I do want to provide some further information about these matters so that members might think twice before making any uninformed comments.

In relation to the Medical Board, I can advise that a hearing date has been set down for the middle of next month to deal with certain matters pertaining to professional conduct. In relation to the commissioner's inquiries, I can tell the Assembly that he anticipates providing me with a final report early in 1998. Members should appreciate that the commissioner is currently examining 14 cases where health services were provided by the doctor in question. This has necessitated a careful, lengthy inquiry. To quote from a recent letter sent to me by the commissioner, he said:

I would like to assure you that, while the investigation process has been lengthy, to date it has been extremely thorough, with the collection of a very considerable amount of evidence. I am convinced that if the matter is hastily concluded then it is likely to result in an indeterminate result.

Mr Speaker, I come to a comment made by Mr Moore and subsequently by Ms McRae in the Assembly which was along the lines of, "How many people have to be put at risk while a slow, laborious investigation continues?". In response to this remark, the commissioner has advised that at this time he does not believe there is sufficient evidence to indicate that the doctor's continued practice represents a danger to the public; nor is there sufficient evidence at this time to warrant immediate referral of matters to the Medical Board.

I would appreciate, as I am sure the Commissioner for Health Complaints would appreciate, members of this Assembly allowing what is a large, complex and time-consuming inquiry to run its course and for those involved not to be prejudged before there is an outcome. What this also indicates is that, contrary to claims by the Opposition, the Government has made every effort over recent months to ensure that these matters are followed up, and they are being followed up, Mr Speaker. Indeed, I am the person who caused the investigation to be launched in the first place.

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