Page 1167 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 2 April 2019
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MS FITZHARRIS: As members opposite will know, there was a name attached to an email that was signed off “anonymous”. I also note that it is not clear that the complainant was a patient, but let me re-read the email.
It is certainly the case that I, the CEO, the relevant executive group manager of the division for women, youth and children, under which the Centenary hospital sits, have been very clear about the absolute unacceptability of this practice and have issued a number of reminders about the appropriate way that these issues should be raised.
The CEO has personally in a number of communications with staff, including in person and in an all-staff email at the time, offered multiple avenues for all staff to raise issues with her and/or appropriate external authorities if they wish to.
Canberra Health Services—consent for procedures
MR HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Minister, medical procedures performed without the consent of a patient or an authorised representative may constitute an assault. What responsibility do Canberra Health Services and workers have to refer allegations of unauthorised medical procedures to the police or other relevant authorities?
MS FITZHARRIS: I will take advice on answering that precisely. Certainly, in advice to me, it was made very clear, as I indicated in my first answer relating to this matter today, that all staff have—if they believe that a procedure or a practice without proper consent has taken place—an obligation and a duty of care to raise this matter, and there are multiple avenues through which they can do so.
MR HANSON: Minister, what actions will you take to ensure that all relevant allegations of unauthorised medical procedures are thoroughly investigated by an independent authority?
MS FITZHARRIS: I have taken a number of actions and, as I indicated, I will have further discussions with Canberra Health Services tomorrow.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, what action will you take, as the responsible minister, to ensure that proper procedures are put in place to ensure that Canberra Health Services and other health services respect the human rights of their patients?
MS FITZHARRIS: It is abundantly clear that both I and the leaders of all organisations in the ACT wish to ensure that all health services are delivered with respect for an individual’s human rights.
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders—closing the gap
MS ORR: My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. Minister, could you please update the Assembly on last week’s Joint Council on Closing the Gap?
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