Bundaberg Hospital inquiry and Queensland Health reforms

On 26 April 2005, the Queensland Government appointed Anthony Morris QC, assisted by the Hon. Sir Llew Edwards AC and Ms Margaret Vider RN, to form a Commission of Inquiry into the events surrounding the actions of Dr Jayant Patel at the Bundaberg Hospital.

The inquiry began two weeks of public hearings in Brisbane on 23 May, and will move to Bundaberg on 20 June for a further 2-3 weeks of hearings. Further hearings will be scheduled by the Commission as required.

The QNU will be represented at the commission as one of the key parties. The QNU has made a submission to the inquiry concerning issues at the Bundaberg State Hospital including the actions of Dr Jayant Patel, the actions of Bundaberg Hospital management and cultural issues within Queensland Health, and general issues of concern with regard to nursing in Queensland.

The QNU will also provide representation to members who may appear as witnesses during the inquiry, including Bundaberg Hospital ICU/CCU Nurse Unit Manager Toni Hoffman. Toni has been an RN since 1979, she holds a midwifery endorsement, an Intensive Care certificate, a graduate certificate in management and a Masters in Bioethics, and has worked primarily in intensive care units for 20 years. Toni has also worked for short terms as an ADON and DON.

Commissioner Morris has indicated that the commission may also be interested in districts other than Bundaberg Hospital. Those mentioned to date in the media include Mackay, Townsville, Gold Coast and Cairns. Members who may have concerns relevant to the inquiry from any districts should contact the QNU for advice (see contact details right>).

Other inquiries under way

The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) has announced the terms of reference for its public inquiry into Queensland Health’s handling of complaints about Dr Jayant Patel’s activities at Bundaberg Base Hospital. Hearings will commence on Monday 6 June 2005 and will run for approximately two weeks. The QNU wrote to the CMC in April this year calling for an inquiry into the mishandling of staff complaints by Queensland Health.

The QNU is also being consulted in the internal inquiry Queensland Health has instigated into its own systems, headed up by consultant Peter Forster of The Consultancy Bureau. Mr Forster is a consultant with wide experience in the review of government organisations in Queensland, interstate and internationally including the Fitzgerald Inquiry.

The Premier Peter Beattie briefed the QNU on Tuesday 24 May, in relation to his statement on the "Future for Health Services in Queensland", indicating that nurses and nurse practitioners will play an important part in rebuilding of health services in Queensland.

Contact Details

QNU: Members who have concerns or information relevant to the inquiries please contact Professional Officer Kym Barry or Legal Officer Judy Simpson on 07 3840 1445.

Members who wish to make an individual or branch submission to the Queensland Health Systems Review Forster Inquiry) please click here. (This form will shortly be available as an online form.)

Bundaberg Hospital Commission of Inquiry: Terms of reference, guides for submissions contact details and transcripts of the proceedings are available at the Commission’s website: http://www.bhci.qld.gov.au/

Crime and Misconduct Commission: Terms of reference and inquiry dates are available at the CMC website: http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/