News
Tougher Watchdog To Restore Public Confidence In Health System |
| Spokesperson: | Stephen Robertson - Health Minister |
| Date: | Tuesday, 9 May 2006 |
| Category: | State Health News |
| A tougher health watchdog with more powers, more resources and more responsibilities will forge a new era of openness and public confidence in Queensland's health system, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today. Mr Robertson introduced to State Parliament the Health Quality and Complaints Commission Bill 2006 which will establish a new, strengthened, independent body to replace the current Health Rights Commission. He said the new Commission would commence operations in July this year. "The Health Quality and Complaints Commission will be the only body of its kind in Australia with the legislative power and resources to properly monitor and improve the quality of our health services in Queensland, be they public or private," Mr Robertson said. "It will oversee the management of consumer and staff complaints about our health system. The Commission will ensure the inadequate handling of complaints at Bundaberg Hospital last year will never be repeated. "Under its expanded roles and powers, the Toni Hoffmans in our health system will have a reliable avenue to turn to if they are not satisfied with how their complaints are addressed internally. "The current Health Rights Commission never had authority to investigate staff complaints about systemic issues regarding quality and safety nor could it actively investigate registered health practitioners." Mr Robertson said the goal of the new Commission will be to assure the wider community that the quality of health services in Queensland is of the highest possible standard. "This will involve making or adopting any new best practice standards for across all aspects of health services, assessing the performance of health services in meeting these standards and making recommendations for improvement," he said. "It will also involve monitoring and reporting on the quality of health services and investigating any matters I refer as Health Minister or matters of concern to the Commission itself. "The Commission will work with other agencies including the recently established Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare to explore how health services can be assessed effectively, given that there are various models being used throughout the world and no one model has been universally accepted. "The Commission will also be responsible for the independent handling of health complaints, from consumers and staff alike. "It will receive and manage complaints in a reasonable timeframe, investigate and reconcile complaints, and help health service providers develop procedures to effectively resolve complaints." Other functions of the Commission include providing a supportive environment in which consumers can have their questions or concerns addressed, undertaking research, recommending nominees for District Health Council membership, and providing reports to Parliament on matters relating to health services and the Commission's activities. As recently announced, an independent expressions of interest process to appoint a governing body for the Commission has commenced. "This process is being managed by the Public Service Commissioner, and after he advises on the best candidates for appointment, I will make recommendations to Government," Mr Robertson said. "I expect the Commissioner and between five and seven Assistant Commissioners will be appointed before the Commission starts operations as well as an acting Chief Executive Officer. "All board members will have skills and experience in governance and at least one Assistant Commissioner will have expertise in each of the fields of law, medicine, nursing and allied health, and another will have skills and experience in consumer issues." Mr Robertson said a range of activities will occur over the coming weeks to ensure the new Commission becomes fully operational as quickly as possible. "These include suitable premises identified, smooth transitional arrangements for existing Health Rights Commission staff, a recruitment process for new Commission staff, and operational policies and procedures developed in line with the new legislation," he said. MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185 |
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