Page 4851 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 11 November 2009
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father was told not to? I have asked that that be investigated to make sure that there was not a breakdown in procedures.
I think it is fair to say that when a healthy woman arrives at the Canberra Hospital to have a baby, she will expect that every possible care is taken to militate against the risks of infection to her child. I am not confident that every possible policy procedure was followed in this case to ensure that that risk was mitigated.
Mr Stanhope: That is garbage. What else would you have done?
MR HANSON: I would like to remind the minister—
Mr Stanhope: Just tell us what you would have done.
MR HANSON: I will tell you what I would do now, Mr Stanhope.
Mr Stanhope: Tell us what you would have done.
MR HANSON: I would make sure that policies are clear. I would make sure that the lines of communication between the minister and the Chief Health Officer are clear. If I were concerned, as I am, that policies and procedures may have been breached in this case, I would ensure that there was an investigation to clarify that issue. What I certainly would do is write a letter to the parents involved, who currently have their babies under medication which is quite harmful and toxic in some cases, and apologise to them. Would you do that, Chief Minister? Will the minister do that? Have you signed that letter yet?
Mr Stanhope: Come on; tell us what you would have done before the event?
MR HANSON: I think I have made it very clear that we would make sure that the policies and procedures would be adhered to. What is clear from the interjections here is that the minister and the Chief Minister are refusing to accept that there can be lessons learnt from this episode. They are refusing to accept that anything possibly went wrong or that anything could have been done differently.
Why do we not have the review, as I am asking for? Then, Chief Minister, we will know exactly what could be done better in the future. That is why I think it is a prudent thing to have the review.
Clearly, Ms Gallagher is choosing only to selectively review the policies and procedures and, through her amendment, not wanting to review current ACT Health policies and protocols for visiting hours and overnight stays by partners in shared postnatal wards. Clearly, the minister is of the view that nothing needs to be addressed in this case. I am not so sure; I would certainly look for review.
Mr Stanhope: What would you have done?
MR HANSON: I think you know what I would do, Mr Stanhope. I have outlined it for you here. I certainly look forward to the opportunity when, as health minister,
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