A parliamentary exchange reveals tension regarding alleged issues with cardiothoracic surgeons at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. The Minister for Health refuses to comment publicly until an investigation concludes, leading to accusations of a lack of accountability.

AnsweredQoN 749Legislative Assembly
Asked
22 September 2009
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

SIR CHARLES GAIRDNER HOSPITAL — SPECIALIST CARDIOTHORACIC SURGEONS
I have a supplementary question. If the minister will not make himself accountable to the Parliament, what does he have to say to the people of Western Australia with loved ones who have been treated by this unit? Dr K.D. HAMES

AnswerView source ↗

Until I get information suggesting that any of these surgeons has actually done anything wrong there is no reason for me to make any public statement. Once that investigation has been concluded, and if it turns out that someone was not treated appropriately, I will take the appropriate action. Mr E.S. Ripper : There are serious complaints and you won’t explain yourself to the public. Dr K.D. HAMES : I do not have to explain anything to the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are the Minister for Health. Dr K.D. HAMES : Indeed I am, and the Leader of the Opposition was the Treasurer who stood by and let this state go to rack and ruin.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: Until I get information suggesting that any of these surgeons has actually done anything wrong there is no reason for me to make any public statement. Once that investigation has been concluded, and if it turns out that someone was not treated appropriately, I will take the appropriate action. Mr E.S. Ripper : There are serious complaints and you won’t explain yourself to the public. Dr K.D. HAMES : I do not have to explain anything to the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are the Minister for Health. Dr K.D. HAMES : Indeed I am, and the Leader of the Opposition was the Treasurer who stood by and let this state go to rack and ruin.
Until I get information suggesting that any of these surgeons has actually done anything wrong there is no reason for me to make any public statement. Once that investigation has been concluded, and if it turns out that someone was not treated appropriately, I will take the appropriate action. Mr E.S. Ripper : There are serious complaints and you won’t explain yourself to the public. Dr K.D. HAMES : I do not have to explain anything to the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are the Minister for Health. Dr K.D. HAMES : Indeed I am, and the Leader of the Opposition was the Treasurer who stood by and let this state go to rack and ruin.
Mr E.S. Ripper : There are serious complaints and you won’t explain yourself to the public. Dr K.D. HAMES : I do not have to explain anything to the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are the Minister for Health. Dr K.D. HAMES : Indeed I am, and the Leader of the Opposition was the Treasurer who stood by and let this state go to rack and ruin.
Dr K.D. HAMES : I do not have to explain anything to the public. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are the Minister for Health. Dr K.D. HAMES : Indeed I am, and the Leader of the Opposition was the Treasurer who stood by and let this state go to rack and ruin.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You are the Minister for Health. Dr K.D. HAMES : Indeed I am, and the Leader of the Opposition was the Treasurer who stood by and let this state go to rack and ruin.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Indeed I am, and the Leader of the Opposition was the Treasurer who stood by and let this state go to rack and ruin.

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