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
Whistleblower nurses claim there are hundreds more deaths from malpractice that warrant investigation at two south-western Sydney hospitals.

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.

The 13-month investigation looked at 47 complaints of malpractice and has found evidence that 17 patients died because of inadequate care.

The state's Health Minister Morris Iemma says while the results are shocking, the health watchdog's report does not go far enough.

He says the public's confidence in the HCCC has been damaged, and has terminated the contract of Ms Adrian.

The minister has also suspended two doctors, with 11 in total referred to the state medical board.

Iemma has apologised on behalf of the Government to families of the patients who died, as well as whistleblower nurses, who he says were unfairly treated.

"Sadly nothing I do or say will bring back the people who died as a result of inadequate care. Nor can I erase the unfair treatment of the nurses who raised the concerns," he said.

A commissioner's inquiry will be held into the allegations, to be headed by senior counsel Brett Walker. It will report by April.

By Kick The Dog 11 December 03

THE ELEPHANT: Craig Knowles and Bob Carr come on down!

Related:

Nurses tell of 'malpractice' deaths
Whistleblower nurses claim there are hundreds more deaths from malpractice that warrant investigation at two south-western Sydney hospitals.