Monday, December 15, 2003

NSW Libs call for health royal commission

The New South Wales Opposition wants a royal commission into what it is calling a crisis in the state's health system after more revelations of patient deaths due to alleged malpractice.

A Sydney newspaper is reporting three people died at the Prince of Wales hospital this year because of inadequate care.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) last week began an investigation into an alleged cover-up over 19 deaths at two other Sydney hospitals.

The State Government says the Health Department will look into the latest claims but Opposition leader John Brogden says that is not good enough.

"There is nobody independent in the health system who can be trusted," he said.

"We need to have a royal commission, to blow the system open, to let whistleblower nurses and doctors come forward without fearing for their jobs."

By Corrupt Government 15 December 03

Related:

NSW health complaints head rolls
The head of the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) Amanda Adrian has been sacked after a damning report into malpractice at two Sydney hospitals.

Nurses tell of 'malpractice' deaths
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