REVIEW INTO EMPLOYMENT OF UNREGISTERED INTERNS AT CAIRNS HOSPITAL

Health Minister Stephen Robertson today released terms of reference for the review into the employment of four unregistered interns by the Cairns Base Hospital.

The Chief Health Officer of Queensland, Dr Jeanette Young, will be in Cairns today (Tues) to begin her investigation.

Mr Robertson said the review will consider all circumstances surrounding the hospital’s employment of the foreign-trained individuals prior to their registration by the Medical Board of Queensland.

“Dr Young will examine the recruitment processes which led to their employment; including the role of an external recruitment agency.

“She will also review subsequent management and human resource actions taken on discovery of non-registration; including supervisory arrangements and patient contact management that was put in place.

“The records of all patients who came into contact with the four will also be reviewed.”

Mr Robertson said he was concerned conflicting information had emerged about whether any of the four had, as student observers, been involved in direct patient contact or patient care.

“I’m not satisfied all the information initially provided to myself and the Director-General was accurate.

“That’s why we’re conducting this review to get to the bottom of things.”

The review will make recommendations to: improve human resources and medical recruitment processes; clarify the role of medical observers and their scope of practice; clarify the process that should occur when an employee is found not to be appropriately registered; determine any actions that should be taken for breach of any Queensland Health policy or law of the State of Queensland.

The review terms of reference are:

1. The recruitment process which led to the paid employment in January 2007 of 4 individuals in intern positions who were not registered with the Queensland Medical Board

2. The role the Queensland Health 2007 Intern Recruitment Program (Intern2007) played in the recruitment of the 4 individuals

3. The reason why Latitudes Medical Recruitment agency was engaged to assist with the recruitment process and what information was provided by Latitudes

4. The management and human resources action taken on discovery of non-registration, including supervisory arrangements and patient contact management that was put in place.

5. All records of patients who came into contact with the four individuals.

6. The source and accuracy of information provided to the Minister and Director General about the incident and it’s follow-up.

The Review will produce:

1. Recommendations to improve human resource and medical recruitment processes

2. Recommendations about the role of the Queensland Health 2007 Intern Recruitment Program (Intern2007)

3. Recommendations about the status of medical observers in Queensland Health facilities and their scope of practice

4. Recommendations about the process that should occur when an employee is found to not be appropriately registered

5. Recommendations about any actions that should be taken for breach of any Queensland Health policy or law of the State of Queensland

6. Recommendations for systems and strategies to be implemented to ensure accurate provision of information to the Minister for Health and the Director General at all times

7. Recommendations for processes to be put in place to ensure public accountability is met in a transparent and ethical manner when delivering health services.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 3234 1190