Published Wednesday, 02 May, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
REPORT ON CAIRNS HOSPITAL RELEASED
The Chief Health Officer’s report into how four individuals were employed in intern positions at Cairns Base Hospital while unregistered was released today.
Mr Robertson said the report contained a number of recommendations which Cairns Hospital would implement.
“I want to stress this was not a repeat of Bundaberg,” Mr Robertson said.
“Thankfully, a thorough check of hospital records shows no patients were harmed.
“But I’m very angry and disappointed at what Cairns Hospital did.
“The guidelines are very clear. You don’t employ doctors that are not registered by the Medical Board.
“I’m also concerned at least one intern may have been allowed to interact with patients without constant supervision by more senior doctors.”
Mr Robertson said the Director General of Queensland Health had already started the process to determine what action should be taken against those involved.
“The Director General has referred two senior doctors at the hospital - the Acting Executive Director of Medical Services and the Deputy Director of Medical Services - and one of the so-called unregistered ‘interns’ to the Ethical Standards Unit for suspected official misconduct,” he said.
“All three have also been referred to the Medical Board of Queensland for professional misconduct.
“The Ethical Standards Unit and the Board commenced their investigations on Monday.”
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the Ethical Standards Unit will interview the two senior doctors about their role in the employment and supervision of the interns as well as inaccurate advice that was provided to the Director-General’s office and the Minister’s office.
“I stress that this was a mistake made by one local hospital,” Dr Young said.
“It is not a whole-of-system flaw.”
“Queensland had the most stringent checks in place for the registration and employment of doctors of any jurisdiction in Australia.
“All checks and balances are dependent on people on the ground to carry them out properly and this did not occur in Cairns.
“What happened in Cairns was an error of judgement which was exacerbated by poor, inaccurate advice about the extent of the problem.
“As a result, the Director General will deal those matters appropriately and fairly in line with the Chief Health Officer’s recommendations.”
2 May, 2007
MEDIA:
Minister Robertson’s Office: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185
Dr Young’s Office: Lindy Rowett 3234 0351
Mr Robertson said the report contained a number of recommendations which Cairns Hospital would implement.
“I want to stress this was not a repeat of Bundaberg,” Mr Robertson said.
“Thankfully, a thorough check of hospital records shows no patients were harmed.
“But I’m very angry and disappointed at what Cairns Hospital did.
“The guidelines are very clear. You don’t employ doctors that are not registered by the Medical Board.
“I’m also concerned at least one intern may have been allowed to interact with patients without constant supervision by more senior doctors.”
Mr Robertson said the Director General of Queensland Health had already started the process to determine what action should be taken against those involved.
“The Director General has referred two senior doctors at the hospital - the Acting Executive Director of Medical Services and the Deputy Director of Medical Services - and one of the so-called unregistered ‘interns’ to the Ethical Standards Unit for suspected official misconduct,” he said.
“All three have also been referred to the Medical Board of Queensland for professional misconduct.
“The Ethical Standards Unit and the Board commenced their investigations on Monday.”
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the Ethical Standards Unit will interview the two senior doctors about their role in the employment and supervision of the interns as well as inaccurate advice that was provided to the Director-General’s office and the Minister’s office.
“I stress that this was a mistake made by one local hospital,” Dr Young said.
“It is not a whole-of-system flaw.”
“Queensland had the most stringent checks in place for the registration and employment of doctors of any jurisdiction in Australia.
“All checks and balances are dependent on people on the ground to carry them out properly and this did not occur in Cairns.
“What happened in Cairns was an error of judgement which was exacerbated by poor, inaccurate advice about the extent of the problem.
“As a result, the Director General will deal those matters appropriately and fairly in line with the Chief Health Officer’s recommendations.”
2 May, 2007
MEDIA:
Minister Robertson’s Office: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185
Dr Young’s Office: Lindy Rowett 3234 0351