Page 456 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 13 February 2013
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twins) discovered after returning from the ICU that her personal belongings had been taken from her room in readiness for a new arrival, forcing her to sit for two hours in a waiting room before being discharged. None of these episodes resulted in lasting harm. But they are certainly distressing experiences for the individuals concerned and symptomatic of a health system under stress.
A health system under stress—and indeed it is. Indeed, Mr Rattenbury, the crux of this motion is to examine the reasons why these issues have caused so much stress not only to the community but to the people involved in delivering health services, and to seek ways to address these issues as a matter of priority.
Consistently throughout the last Assembly, the shadow minister for health asked question after question. He sought answers through estimates, through FOI requests, through references to committees and by representations to the minister.
We have had Auditor-General’s reports that confirmed the delays in elective surgery waiting lists. We have had industrial trouble among the maternity staff as bullying allegations went unaddressed. And what have we heard from the Minister for Health? We have had obfuscation, we have had avoidance of the truth, and data tampering claims that were denied and denied until even the Chief Minister could no longer ignore those issues.
How was that particular issue managed? We had more denials and attempts to blame it all on the Liberals, buck passing, and staff put under such unbearable pressure that they were forced to resign. And what was of most concern was the Chief Minister’s attitude and comments on this matter, which were quite alarming. She said she could not understand what all the fuss was about, that no-one had committed murder. Chief Minister, there was data tampering—11,700 cases of it. We have spoken about this before. But with respect to the gravity of this situation—it is a laughing matter, I can see, Chief Minister; a laughing matter indeed.
We have a situation where, if you are in the commercial sector and there is an attempt to defraud the government, there is a huge outcry and normally prison sentences or very great—
Ms Gallagher: That’s what you would like, to send a nurse to prison, would you?
MR DOSZPOT: I would like to see some seriousness on your part, Chief Minister, rather than having a grin when we are talking about these issues and you have not been giving your—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot, will you address your comments through the chair?
Ms Gallagher: Mr Doszpot has got Mr Hanson’s speech, I think.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ms Gallagher.
MR DOSZPOT: Ms Gallagher, I am taking this situation very seriously, and I suggest—
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