BUNDABERG SPECIAL PROCESS CONTINUES TO COMPENSATE PATEL VICTIMS
Published Wednesday, 24 January, 2007 at 06:31 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine today made the following comments in relation to the Bundaberg Special Process:
"The Queensland Government is absolutely committed to compensating former patients of Jayant Patel in a fair, sensitive and effective way. The provision of a Special Process was considered to be appropriate for the patients of Patel given the unique circumstances surrounding their claims.
"If any former patient of Patel does not wish to participate in the Special Process, or is found to be ineligible, he or she can pursue other avenues, such as a common law claim for damages under the Civil Liability Act.
"The Special Process is designed to help eligible patients settle their claims without the need to go to court. To date it has been very successful in helping victims close this distressing chapter in their lives as quickly as possible. A total of 173 claims have been settled.
"The Premier released limited information about the Special Process during the Parliamentary Budget Estimates hearing. He did this in good faith, however the information was misused for political purposes by Mr Messenger as part of his ill-informed plan to undermine the process.
"Further generalising about payments would serve only to jeopardise future negotiations and I will not allow the Special Process to be politicised by Mr Messenger in this way.
"For this reason further details of the compensation paid will not be released until the Special Process is complete. At this time there will be full and open accounting of the costs of the process and the compensation paid.
"Contrary to Mr Messenger’s claims, widows of people who died after receiving treatment from Patel are being appropriately compensated as part of the process. Payments to widows cover funeral expenses and where appropriate, compensation for dependency. Each person's individual circumstance is taken into account in each compensation matter. The negotiations are handled sensitively and with complete respect for the widows and their families.
"The Special Process is continuing to result in speedy resolution of claims. I am convinced Patel victims and their families are far more concerned with getting quick and fair compensation than listening to Mr Messenger’s never-ending complaints.
"Any Patel victim with questions or issues regarding their participation in the Special Process should phone the Health Quality and Complaints Commission on 1800 077 308."
Media Contact: Paul Holmes 0407 378 796 or paul.holmes@ministerial.qld.gov.au
"The Queensland Government is absolutely committed to compensating former patients of Jayant Patel in a fair, sensitive and effective way. The provision of a Special Process was considered to be appropriate for the patients of Patel given the unique circumstances surrounding their claims.
"If any former patient of Patel does not wish to participate in the Special Process, or is found to be ineligible, he or she can pursue other avenues, such as a common law claim for damages under the Civil Liability Act.
"The Special Process is designed to help eligible patients settle their claims without the need to go to court. To date it has been very successful in helping victims close this distressing chapter in their lives as quickly as possible. A total of 173 claims have been settled.
"The Premier released limited information about the Special Process during the Parliamentary Budget Estimates hearing. He did this in good faith, however the information was misused for political purposes by Mr Messenger as part of his ill-informed plan to undermine the process.
"Further generalising about payments would serve only to jeopardise future negotiations and I will not allow the Special Process to be politicised by Mr Messenger in this way.
"For this reason further details of the compensation paid will not be released until the Special Process is complete. At this time there will be full and open accounting of the costs of the process and the compensation paid.
"Contrary to Mr Messenger’s claims, widows of people who died after receiving treatment from Patel are being appropriately compensated as part of the process. Payments to widows cover funeral expenses and where appropriate, compensation for dependency. Each person's individual circumstance is taken into account in each compensation matter. The negotiations are handled sensitively and with complete respect for the widows and their families.
"The Special Process is continuing to result in speedy resolution of claims. I am convinced Patel victims and their families are far more concerned with getting quick and fair compensation than listening to Mr Messenger’s never-ending complaints.
"Any Patel victim with questions or issues regarding their participation in the Special Process should phone the Health Quality and Complaints Commission on 1800 077 308."
Media Contact: Paul Holmes 0407 378 796 or paul.holmes@ministerial.qld.gov.au