News
Doomadgee Death To Be Fully Investigated |
| Spokesperson: | The Honourable Paul Lucas, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health |
| Date: | Monday, 27 July 2009 |
| Category: | Swine Influenza |
| Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas today conferred with both Health Quality and Complaints Commissioner (HQCC) Michael Ward and State Coroner Michael Barnes regarding the death of a four year old Doomadgee girl. Mr Lucas said he had conveyed the Government's full support for the independent investigative process to take place in relation to the child's death. "Both the Coroner and the HQCC have full powers to independently investigate this matter of their own notion," he said. "I have indicated my full support of them conferring to ascertain the best way forward to streamline the investigation cooperatively. "The manner in which the respective bodies decide to conduct their further inquiries is entirely a matter for them and they have the full support of the Government in that process," Mr Lucas said. "The death of any child is tragic and I have extended my deepest sympathies to the family and to the community," he said. "I am advised the District CEO, the Executive Director of Medical Services, and the District Psychiatrist went to the community yesterday following the child's death to ensure services were operating adequately and to provide support to the family, community and staff. "Naturally Queensland Health will be fully cooperating with any investigation as well as additionally conducting its own root cause analysis. "Advice from the Chief Health Officer this morning is that the little girl did not test positive for either seasonal influenza or human swine influenza. "However allegations by the community have gone beyond this and that is why an independent investigation is warranted. "It also serves as a reminder for people not to jump to conclusions and to let the independent investigators get on with their job." MEDIA: Kate Van Poelgeest 0458 449 267 |
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