Page 622 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 February 2010
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have always had, and continue to have, the interest of health care and the welfare of the people of Canberra as a priority. Again, I would express my thanks to them for their preparedness to work with the ACT government to prepare for the future healthcare needs of our community. We do know on this side, of course, that these healthcare needs will be considerable.
Motion agreed to.
Canberra Hospital—proposed board of inquiry
MR HANSON (Molonglo) (3.37): I move:
That this Assembly:
(1) notes:
(a) the grave concerns raised by current and former staff within the Obstetrics Department at The Canberra Hospital (TCH) of a culture of bullying and intimidation, of poor communication, of poor relationships between clinical staff and management and of a toxic workplace environment;
(b) that allegations have been made regarding poor clinical outcomes and allegations that patient safety has been compromised or could be compromised in the future if systemic issues are not addressed;
(c) that as a result of these concerns, nine doctors have recently left the Obstetrics Department and other doctors have stated that they are unwilling to work at TCH;
(d) that although the allegations have centred on the Obstetrics Department at TCH, a number of allegations of a similar nature have been made by staff and ex-staff across other areas of TCH;
(e) that a number of staff at TCH have expressed an unwillingness to make formal written complaints due to a fear of retribution and hostility that is directed against complainants by some senior staff at TCH; and
(f) that a number of staff at TCH have indicated that although they are prepared to make anonymous complaints, they would not appear before any review conducted by the Government through fear of the consequences;
(2) calls on the government to:
(a) appoint a Board of Inquiry pursuant to the Inquiries Act 1991 into the serious concerns that have been raised at TCH;
(b) ensure that the persons appointed to the Board are independent of TCH and of ACT Health and are acknowledged independent by all parties connected to the allegations that have been made;
(c) appoint at least three persons to the Board, including a clinician, a health administrator and a legally qualified member;
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