A parliamentary question addresses concerns about the role and status of Jennifer Beck, legal counsel at King Edward Memorial Hospital, following reports of infant deaths and injuries and the establishment of the Douglas inquiry. The Minister clarifies that Ms. Beck was one of several staff members who raised concerns and confirms she is on leave, not removed, and satisfied with the arrangement.

AnsweredQoN 277Legislative Assembly
Asked
18 October 2000
Member
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Metropolitan Health Service Board’s decision to send the legal counsel for King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women on four weeks’ leave. (1) Will the minister explain the role played by Jennifer Beck in drawing attention to the deaths of and injuries to babies at King Edward Memorial Hospital and in the establishment of the Douglas inquiry? (2) Why has she been removed from King Edward Memorial Hospital at this stage? Mr DAY

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Jennifer Beck was one of a number of staff at King Edward Memorial Hospital who drew the attention of the chief executive to the possibility of problematic clinical care at the hospital. (2) It is not correct that Jennifer Beck has been removed from the staff of King Edward Memorial Hospital. She has taken four weeks’ leave, after which she will return to the hospital. I have confirmed that she is satisfied with these arrangements and will return to the hospital at the end of her leave.
(1) Will the minister explain the role played by Jennifer Beck in drawing attention to the deaths of and injuries to babies at King Edward Memorial Hospital and in the establishment of the Douglas inquiry? (2) Why has she been removed from King Edward Memorial Hospital at this stage? Mr DAY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Jennifer Beck was one of a number of staff at King Edward Memorial Hospital who drew the attention of the chief executive to the possibility of problematic clinical care at the hospital. (2) It is not correct that Jennifer Beck has been removed from the staff of King Edward Memorial Hospital. She has taken four weeks’ leave, after which she will return to the hospital. I have confirmed that she is satisfied with these arrangements and will return to the hospital at the end of her leave.
(2) Why has she been removed from King Edward Memorial Hospital at this stage? Mr DAY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Jennifer Beck was one of a number of staff at King Edward Memorial Hospital who drew the attention of the chief executive to the possibility of problematic clinical care at the hospital. (2) It is not correct that Jennifer Beck has been removed from the staff of King Edward Memorial Hospital. She has taken four weeks’ leave, after which she will return to the hospital. I have confirmed that she is satisfied with these arrangements and will return to the hospital at the end of her leave.
Mr DAY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Jennifer Beck was one of a number of staff at King Edward Memorial Hospital who drew the attention of the chief executive to the possibility of problematic clinical care at the hospital. (2) It is not correct that Jennifer Beck has been removed from the staff of King Edward Memorial Hospital. She has taken four weeks’ leave, after which she will return to the hospital. I have confirmed that she is satisfied with these arrangements and will return to the hospital at the end of her leave.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Jennifer Beck was one of a number of staff at King Edward Memorial Hospital who drew the attention of the chief executive to the possibility of problematic clinical care at the hospital. (2) It is not correct that Jennifer Beck has been removed from the staff of King Edward Memorial Hospital. She has taken four weeks’ leave, after which she will return to the hospital. I have confirmed that she is satisfied with these arrangements and will return to the hospital at the end of her leave.
(1) Jennifer Beck was one of a number of staff at King Edward Memorial Hospital who drew the attention of the chief executive to the possibility of problematic clinical care at the hospital. (2) It is not correct that Jennifer Beck has been removed from the staff of King Edward Memorial Hospital. She has taken four weeks’ leave, after which she will return to the hospital. I have confirmed that she is satisfied with these arrangements and will return to the hospital at the end of her leave.
(2) It is not correct that Jennifer Beck has been removed from the staff of King Edward Memorial Hospital. She has taken four weeks’ leave, after which she will return to the hospital. I have confirmed that she is satisfied with these arrangements and will return to the hospital at the end of her leave.

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