‘I think the long and troubled history in obstetrics, as would be well known to anybody who spent any time looking at them, always appears to rise when vacancies are advertised at the Canberra Hospital.’
‘…the war that has existed in obstetrics for in excess of 10 years’ (Katy Gallagher, Question Time, 24/2/10)
The Health Minister, Ms Gallagher, has claimed there has been ‘a long and troubled history in Obstetrics’ for the last 10 years, that she had know about this since 2005, but refused to act until negative media coverage and a string of doctor’s resignations, Shadow Minister for Health, Jeremy Hanson, said today.
“This is a total contradiction from Ms Gallagher’s statements that she didn’t know about problems in the Obstetrics until the allegations were made in the media,” Mr Hanson said. “If the Minister knew about problems in Obstetrics since 2005 why did she not act earlier?
“This certainly puts further question marks on how rigorous the two reviews will be, given Ms Gallagher has known about a cultural problems in Obstetrics since 2005.
Today, ACT Labor and the Greens voted against a thorough and Independent investigation into allegations of bullying and intimidation within the Obstetrics Department at TCH.
“Given Ms Gallagher’s inaction since becoming Health Minister, it is not surprising ACT Labor wouldn’t support the Canberra Liberals proposal for a wide reaching, independent and impartial inquiry under the Inquiries Act 1991.
“An Inquiry conducted under the Inquiries Act 1991, would have given witnesses the necessary legal protections they need in order to make full and frank evidence. An inquiry under the Act also makes provision for private hearings and for the suppression of information discussed in a hearing – Anything but what Ms Gallagher describes as a ‘witch-hunt’.
“I have personally been advised that some staff will not appear before the Government’s proposed external review because they have no faith that it will be comprehensive enough, or give them adequate legal protections.
“Ms Gallagher has taken no action since being Health Minister, despite knowing there had been a ‘troubled history’ since 2005. The community is right to be sceptical the Health Minister will fully conduct a comprehensive, independent and impartial review of the workplace issues and allegations that have been raised,” Mr Hanson said.
