The Liberal National Party is calling for the Palaszczuk Government to halt the roll-out of its Integrated Electronic Medical Records (IEMR) system following more damning revelations today.
Media reports have claimed that doctors believe patient safety is being put at risk by problems such as incorrect doses of drugs being administered to patients and issues with cervical screening results not registering on the new digitized system.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said it was clear the state’s peak doctors’ organisation, the Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ), was losing confidence in the system.
Reports today claim the affected hospitals include those in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Ipswich and Metro South hospitals such as Logan and the Princess Alexandra.
“The roll-out of this massive digital project has to be halted until patients and doctors can have complete confidence in the system,” Ms Bates said.
“I’m extremely concerned that whistleblowers are being ignored by the Queensland Government. We’ve seen this happen too many times before.
“This has all the hallmarks of another health payroll disaster – except this time it is patient safety and not staff salaries that are at risk.
“All this is happening while our hapless, hopeless Health Minister is spending his time tearing down signs on the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital. He is a disgrace and should be sacked.”
Today’s report follows a scathing report by the Auditor-General into the IEMR roll-out released earlier this month.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said the LNP raised concerns about the program in 2017 and on several occasions in the last few months in the media and the Parliament.
“When asked about the program in September, Health Minister Steven Miles labelled it an ‘incredible success’. He is delusional,” Ms Bates said.