❓ A parliamentary question regarding patient safety concerns at King Edward Memorial Hospital, including management issues and staffing levels. The Minister outlines actions taken and defends the government's health funding record.
AnsweredQoN 279Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the letter from Jennifer Beck, the legal counsel for King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, to the chief executive officer Michael Moodie, dated 30 July 1999, and ask - (1) Will the minister detail the specific changes that have been introduced to address the serious concerns raised in her letter, including poor management and decision making; unsupervised and poorly trained registrars; and the need for 24-hour obstetric cover and senior registrars to be rostered during out-of-hours shifts? (2) In view of Ms Beck’s comments that the current management of complex patients by unsupervised junior registrars results in unprofessional responses by overstressed and overworked staff, which has resulted in unnecessary deaths and permanent injury, will the minister reconsider the decision to exclude resourcing and funding as a term of reference for the Douglas inquiry? Mr DAY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. These matters were notified to the Metropolitan Health Service Board, and I subsequently decided to hold an inquiry under section 9 of the Hospitals and Health Services Act. That decision was endorsed by Cabinet. The inquiry will establish whether the concerns raised are justified, and make any additional recommendations for changes to be made. The hospital has not been waiting for the outcome of this inquiry before making changes. A comprehensive system of new out-of-hours ward rounds, conducted by the on-call obstetrician, was established earlier this year. Two ward rounds are conducted each weekday evening, and three are conducted on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In addition, the hospital is actively recruiting additional obstetric consultants. These issues are not about the total amount of funding made available to King Edward Memorial Hospital. Combined funding for King Edward and Princess Margaret hospitals has increased by $40m a year since this Government has been in office. It is a great pity that the Opposition has a very simplistic approach to reducing everything in the health arena to the issue of funding. The Government is now spending $700m a year more for health services than was the case when the Labor Government left office. The simplistic approach of the Opposition indicates its lack of a good understanding of the complex issues involved in the Health portfolio in this State. If there are any issues relating to the way in which funds are used in the hospitals, or management issues which may have had some impact on clinical care, the inquiry will consider those matters.
(1) Will the minister detail the specific changes that have been introduced to address the serious concerns raised in her letter, including poor management and decision making; unsupervised and poorly trained registrars; and the need for 24-hour obstetric cover and senior registrars to be rostered during out-of-hours shifts? (2) In view of Ms Beck’s comments that the current management of complex patients by unsupervised junior registrars results in unprofessional responses by overstressed and overworked staff, which has resulted in unnecessary deaths and permanent injury, will the minister reconsider the decision to exclude resourcing and funding as a term of reference for the Douglas inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. These matters were notified to the Metropolitan Health Service Board, and I subsequently decided to hold an inquiry under section 9 of the Hospitals and Health Services Act. That decision was endorsed by Cabinet. The inquiry will establish whether the concerns raised are justified, and make any additional recommendations for changes to be made. The hospital has not been waiting for the outcome of this inquiry before making changes. A comprehensive system of new out-of-hours ward rounds, conducted by the on-call obstetrician, was established earlier this year. Two ward rounds are conducted each weekday evening, and three are conducted on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In addition, the hospital is actively recruiting additional obstetric consultants. These issues are not about the total amount of funding made available to King Edward Memorial Hospital. Combined funding for King Edward and Princess Margaret hospitals has increased by $40m a year since this Government has been in office. It is a great pity that the Opposition has a very simplistic approach to reducing everything in the health arena to the issue of funding. The Government is now spending $700m a year more for health services than was the case when the Labor Government left office. The simplistic approach of the Opposition indicates its lack of a good understanding of the complex issues involved in the Health portfolio in this State. If there are any issues relating to the way in which funds are used in the hospitals, or management issues which may have had some impact on clinical care, the inquiry will consider those matters.
(2) In view of Ms Beck’s comments that the current management of complex patients by unsupervised junior registrars results in unprofessional responses by overstressed and overworked staff, which has resulted in unnecessary deaths and permanent injury, will the minister reconsider the decision to exclude resourcing and funding as a term of reference for the Douglas inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. These matters were notified to the Metropolitan Health Service Board, and I subsequently decided to hold an inquiry under section 9 of the Hospitals and Health Services Act. That decision was endorsed by Cabinet. The inquiry will establish whether the concerns raised are justified, and make any additional recommendations for changes to be made. The hospital has not been waiting for the outcome of this inquiry before making changes. A comprehensive system of new out-of-hours ward rounds, conducted by the on-call obstetrician, was established earlier this year. Two ward rounds are conducted each weekday evening, and three are conducted on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In addition, the hospital is actively recruiting additional obstetric consultants. These issues are not about the total amount of funding made available to King Edward Memorial Hospital. Combined funding for King Edward and Princess Margaret hospitals has increased by $40m a year since this Government has been in office. It is a great pity that the Opposition has a very simplistic approach to reducing everything in the health arena to the issue of funding. The Government is now spending $700m a year more for health services than was the case when the Labor Government left office. The simplistic approach of the Opposition indicates its lack of a good understanding of the complex issues involved in the Health portfolio in this State. If there are any issues relating to the way in which funds are used in the hospitals, or management issues which may have had some impact on clinical care, the inquiry will consider those matters.
Mr DAY replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. These matters were notified to the Metropolitan Health Service Board, and I subsequently decided to hold an inquiry under section 9 of the Hospitals and Health Services Act. That decision was endorsed by Cabinet. The inquiry will establish whether the concerns raised are justified, and make any additional recommendations for changes to be made. The hospital has not been waiting for the outcome of this inquiry before making changes. A comprehensive system of new out-of-hours ward rounds, conducted by the on-call obstetrician, was established earlier this year. Two ward rounds are conducted each weekday evening, and three are conducted on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In addition, the hospital is actively recruiting additional obstetric consultants. These issues are not about the total amount of funding made available to King Edward Memorial Hospital. Combined funding for King Edward and Princess Margaret hospitals has increased by $40m a year since this Government has been in office. It is a great pity that the Opposition has a very simplistic approach to reducing everything in the health arena to the issue of funding. The Government is now spending $700m a year more for health services than was the case when the Labor Government left office. The simplistic approach of the Opposition indicates its lack of a good understanding of the complex issues involved in the Health portfolio in this State. If there are any issues relating to the way in which funds are used in the hospitals, or management issues which may have had some impact on clinical care, the inquiry will consider those matters.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. These matters were notified to the Metropolitan Health Service Board, and I subsequently decided to hold an inquiry under section 9 of the Hospitals and Health Services Act. That decision was endorsed by Cabinet. The inquiry will establish whether the concerns raised are justified, and make any additional recommendations for changes to be made. The hospital has not been waiting for the outcome of this inquiry before making changes. A comprehensive system of new out-of-hours ward rounds, conducted by the on-call obstetrician, was established earlier this year. Two ward rounds are conducted each weekday evening, and three are conducted on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In addition, the hospital is actively recruiting additional obstetric consultants. These issues are not about the total amount of funding made available to King Edward Memorial Hospital. Combined funding for King Edward and Princess Margaret hospitals has increased by $40m a year since this Government has been in office. It is a great pity that the Opposition has a very simplistic approach to reducing everything in the health arena to the issue of funding. The Government is now spending $700m a year more for health services than was the case when the Labor Government left office. The simplistic approach of the Opposition indicates its lack of a good understanding of the complex issues involved in the Health portfolio in this State. If there are any issues relating to the way in which funds are used in the hospitals, or management issues which may have had some impact on clinical care, the inquiry will consider those matters.
(1) Will the minister detail the specific changes that have been introduced to address the serious concerns raised in her letter, including poor management and decision making; unsupervised and poorly trained registrars; and the need for 24-hour obstetric cover and senior registrars to be rostered during out-of-hours shifts? (2) In view of Ms Beck’s comments that the current management of complex patients by unsupervised junior registrars results in unprofessional responses by overstressed and overworked staff, which has resulted in unnecessary deaths and permanent injury, will the minister reconsider the decision to exclude resourcing and funding as a term of reference for the Douglas inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. These matters were notified to the Metropolitan Health Service Board, and I subsequently decided to hold an inquiry under section 9 of the Hospitals and Health Services Act. That decision was endorsed by Cabinet. The inquiry will establish whether the concerns raised are justified, and make any additional recommendations for changes to be made. The hospital has not been waiting for the outcome of this inquiry before making changes. A comprehensive system of new out-of-hours ward rounds, conducted by the on-call obstetrician, was established earlier this year. Two ward rounds are conducted each weekday evening, and three are conducted on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In addition, the hospital is actively recruiting additional obstetric consultants. These issues are not about the total amount of funding made available to King Edward Memorial Hospital. Combined funding for King Edward and Princess Margaret hospitals has increased by $40m a year since this Government has been in office. It is a great pity that the Opposition has a very simplistic approach to reducing everything in the health arena to the issue of funding. The Government is now spending $700m a year more for health services than was the case when the Labor Government left office. The simplistic approach of the Opposition indicates its lack of a good understanding of the complex issues involved in the Health portfolio in this State. If there are any issues relating to the way in which funds are used in the hospitals, or management issues which may have had some impact on clinical care, the inquiry will consider those matters.
(2) In view of Ms Beck’s comments that the current management of complex patients by unsupervised junior registrars results in unprofessional responses by overstressed and overworked staff, which has resulted in unnecessary deaths and permanent injury, will the minister reconsider the decision to exclude resourcing and funding as a term of reference for the Douglas inquiry? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. These matters were notified to the Metropolitan Health Service Board, and I subsequently decided to hold an inquiry under section 9 of the Hospitals and Health Services Act. That decision was endorsed by Cabinet. The inquiry will establish whether the concerns raised are justified, and make any additional recommendations for changes to be made. The hospital has not been waiting for the outcome of this inquiry before making changes. A comprehensive system of new out-of-hours ward rounds, conducted by the on-call obstetrician, was established earlier this year. Two ward rounds are conducted each weekday evening, and three are conducted on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In addition, the hospital is actively recruiting additional obstetric consultants. These issues are not about the total amount of funding made available to King Edward Memorial Hospital. Combined funding for King Edward and Princess Margaret hospitals has increased by $40m a year since this Government has been in office. It is a great pity that the Opposition has a very simplistic approach to reducing everything in the health arena to the issue of funding. The Government is now spending $700m a year more for health services than was the case when the Labor Government left office. The simplistic approach of the Opposition indicates its lack of a good understanding of the complex issues involved in the Health portfolio in this State. If there are any issues relating to the way in which funds are used in the hospitals, or management issues which may have had some impact on clinical care, the inquiry will consider those matters.
Mr DAY replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. These matters were notified to the Metropolitan Health Service Board, and I subsequently decided to hold an inquiry under section 9 of the Hospitals and Health Services Act. That decision was endorsed by Cabinet. The inquiry will establish whether the concerns raised are justified, and make any additional recommendations for changes to be made. The hospital has not been waiting for the outcome of this inquiry before making changes. A comprehensive system of new out-of-hours ward rounds, conducted by the on-call obstetrician, was established earlier this year. Two ward rounds are conducted each weekday evening, and three are conducted on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In addition, the hospital is actively recruiting additional obstetric consultants. These issues are not about the total amount of funding made available to King Edward Memorial Hospital. Combined funding for King Edward and Princess Margaret hospitals has increased by $40m a year since this Government has been in office. It is a great pity that the Opposition has a very simplistic approach to reducing everything in the health arena to the issue of funding. The Government is now spending $700m a year more for health services than was the case when the Labor Government left office. The simplistic approach of the Opposition indicates its lack of a good understanding of the complex issues involved in the Health portfolio in this State. If there are any issues relating to the way in which funds are used in the hospitals, or management issues which may have had some impact on clinical care, the inquiry will consider those matters.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for some notice of this question. These matters were notified to the Metropolitan Health Service Board, and I subsequently decided to hold an inquiry under section 9 of the Hospitals and Health Services Act. That decision was endorsed by Cabinet. The inquiry will establish whether the concerns raised are justified, and make any additional recommendations for changes to be made. The hospital has not been waiting for the outcome of this inquiry before making changes. A comprehensive system of new out-of-hours ward rounds, conducted by the on-call obstetrician, was established earlier this year. Two ward rounds are conducted each weekday evening, and three are conducted on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In addition, the hospital is actively recruiting additional obstetric consultants. These issues are not about the total amount of funding made available to King Edward Memorial Hospital. Combined funding for King Edward and Princess Margaret hospitals has increased by $40m a year since this Government has been in office. It is a great pity that the Opposition has a very simplistic approach to reducing everything in the health arena to the issue of funding. The Government is now spending $700m a year more for health services than was the case when the Labor Government left office. The simplistic approach of the Opposition indicates its lack of a good understanding of the complex issues involved in the Health portfolio in this State. If there are any issues relating to the way in which funds are used in the hospitals, or management issues which may have had some impact on clinical care, the inquiry will consider those matters.
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