Health Minister releases annual HQCC report

Health Minister Stephen Robertson today released the latest annual report of Queensland’s independent health watchdog.

Mr Robertson said the Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC) Annual Report 2007-2008 would be used to help drive the Bligh Government’s ambitious health reform agenda.

“We established the HQCC to improve the safety and quality of health services in Queensland,” Mr Robertson said.

“By providing the commission with independent statutory powers which can be exercised without fear of favour, we’re demonstrating our commitment to building confidence in public and private health service providers.

“The HQCC has wide-ranging powers to monitor the quality of health services provided to Queenslanders.

“These include recommending action to improve the quality of health care services, resolving individual health complaints and promoting health rights.”

Mr Robertson said HQCC officers visited more than 30 urban, regional and remote centres in 2007-08, meeting with more than 1,000 health providers to provide education and increase awareness of the commission’s role.

“The HQCC has been strongly engaging with the Queensland community,” Mr Robertson said.

“In 2007-08, it managed 1,895 enquiries from people with health care concerns, closing almost 80 per cent of enquiries within one day.

“It managed 2,675 health complaints, closing 42 per cent of these complaints within 30 days.

“The commission also managed 230 conciliations and completed 24 investigations in 2007-08.

“It finalised 50 per cent of investigations within 12 months, and had 94 investigations active as at 30 June 2008.”

Mr Robertson said the Bligh Government was committed to further strengthening the HQCC to deliver better health outcomes for Queenslanders.