There are calls for a Caboolture Hospital Investigation. Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates have recently heard first-hand accounts by patients of alleged botched surgeries, malpractice and substandard care.
Update on the Caboolture Hospital Investigation
The Opposition has delivered on its promise to give Queenslanders affected by the Queensland Health Crisis a voice on the floor of Parliament.
The Opposition has ramped up pressure on the state government in Question Time after more harrowing stories about substandard healthcare at Caboolture Hospital came to light.
More than 50 locals attended the LNP’s Queensland Health Crisis Town Hall in Caboolture last week.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates heard first-hand accounts by patients of alleged botched surgeries, malpractice and substandard care.
Mr Crisafulli promised to take their stories directly to the government on the floor of Parliament.
“I made a promise to those brave people that their stories would be told on the floor of Parliament, and we did just that,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Their stories were distressing.
“They deserve answers.
“We won’t stop demanding the state government to fix Caboolture Hospital.
“Caboolture locals want a hospital they can be proud of.
“Concerns have also been raised about Moranbah Hospital, in Central Queensland.
“Regional Queenslanders no matter where they live, deserve a world class health system and we won’t stop highlighting these problems until they’re fixed.”
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said problems plagued Caboolture Hospital before COVID.
“Ambulance ramping has soared to 38% at Caboolture Hospital,” Ms Bates said.
“When the LNP left government it was 24%.
“Currently, 528 patients are waiting for elective surgery.
“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how frustrating it is for hard working frontline staff who are over-worked and under-resourced.
“Labor is losing control of the health system.”
Update on the abuse | Caboolture Hospital Investigation
The LNP is calling for the terms of reference into shocking allegations of botched surgery and abuse at Caboolture Hospital to immediately be expanded with an assurance that it will be independent.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said the Labor Government’s review was inadequate and would not guarantee a full and thorough investigation into the claims brought by several patients, doctors and nurses.
In a letter to Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, Ms Bates called for immediate changes to the terms of reference saying it was not satisfactory in its current form.
Ms Bates identified three key aspects that required change.
- Timeframe: The timeframe is inadequate and is unclear. Cases that pre-date 2020 must be included.
- Community Consultation: Patient consultation is not included in the review. This consultation is critical and patient complaints must be reviewed, considered and pursued.
- Independence: It appears the review has been commissioned by Metro North Hospital and Health Service and that the findings of the review will also be reported to Metro North Health. This review must be independent and at arm’s length from Queensland Health.
Ms Bates said openness, transparency and accountability was critical.
“The people of Caboolture must be heard,” Ms Bates said.
“They must also have confidence that patient safety at the Caboolture Hospital has not been compromised.
“Queenslanders need to trust our public health system, knowing that when they attend one of our hospitals, they will receive the very best care.
“I’m urgently calling on the Health Minister to amend the terms of reference and to guarantee its independence.
“The people of Caboolture deserve better from this government.”
The people of Caboolture must be heard regarding the Caboolture Hospital Investigation.