Page 1276 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 3 April 2019
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briefed by the CEO of Canberra Health Services. I do intend, given the Assembly’s interest in this, and notwithstanding the current maternity services inquiry, to make a full statement to the Assembly on a range of matters that have been undertaken since, and will be undertaken over the next few weeks, in the May sittings.
MRS JONES: Minister, between 7 February and 21 March, what went wrong in Canberra Health Services that the initial advice was incorrect?
MS FITZHARRIS: I have discussed this with Canberra Health Services and have let them know my clear expectation that I should have been advised of the review that was subsequently undertaken, but I will take the specifics of that on notice in terms of a chronology between 7 February and 21 March. I did refer yesterday to an email that was sent from within maternity services to all staff following receipt from the consumer feedback area.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, who was aware of the complaint in the Canberra Hospital, and who briefed you that there had been no complaint?
MS FITZHARRIS: Two questions there: who was aware and who briefed me. I will take on notice who was aware because clearly, as I indicated in my previous answer, an email was sent internally within maternity services upon receipt of that complaint.
My initial verbal advice following the publication of the Canberra Times article was in a verbal briefing with Canberra Health Services on 13 March.
Centenary Hospital for Women and Children—consent for procedures
MR HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. On 21 March you told the Assembly that the allegations of vaginal examinations being performed at the Centenary hospital without consent caused distress to staff. You expressed no concern about the woman who complained that she was forced to have a vaginal examination at the Centenary hospital without consent. Why have you not expressed any concern about the woman who allegedly had a vaginal examination performed without consent?
MS FITZHARRIS: I am very concerned about this matter, including, of course, about the woman who has made that complaint. Unfortunately that is not someone we can contact because that submission was made anonymously. I have expressed my concern about the seriousness of this matter. I can reiterate to all members present that at the time of the publication of the Canberra Times article and the subsequent meeting that was undertaken at Canberra Health Services a high level of concern among staff had been conveyed to me.
MR HANSON: Minister, will you now apologise to the woman who had a vaginal examination done without consent and apologise for your previous denials?
MS FITZHARRIS: Could I clarify for Mr Hanson that, although this matter continues to be investigated, there is no evidence currently before CHS that this did occur. What it is clear that occurred was that the complaint was made and, as the
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