GALLAGHER MUST RULE OUT ‘WITCH HUNT’ ON DOCTORS
Threats made by the ACT Labor Government to trawl through the last 10 years of cases already dealt with by the Medical Board has been seen for what it is, condemned by the AMA as ‘thinly veiled threat’, and described by some Obstetricians as a ‘witch hunt’ and ‘a cover up’, Shadow Health Minister, Jeremy Hanson said today.
Mr Hanson is calling on Katy Gallagher to immediately confirm her Government will not attempt to bully and threaten Canberra Obstetricians and potential witnesses by expanding the inquiry beyond the complaints made about a culture of fear and intimidation in the Canberra Hospital.
“Amidst allegations of workplace intimidation and bullying, I find it remarkable that Katy Gallagher would threaten doctors instead of investigating the complaints made,” Mr Hanson said.
“It will be extremely difficult to expect a fair and impartial process to occur, where witnesses have no fear of giving evidence, when before the investigation begins ‘thinly veiled threats’ are already being made against potential witnesses.
“Katy Gallagher and Jon Stanhope’s comments have only further served to demonstrate why an impartial board of inquiry is needed in this case.
“The Minister’s conduct in this whole saga has been dubious at best. When serious allegations were first made, Katy Gallagher said it was nothing more that ‘doctor politics’. Now she is attempting to bully and threaten doctors by expanding any inquiry despite no complaints being made about private Obstetricians.
“Ms Gallagher must release the terms of reference for the two reviews being conducted in order to assure the community and doctors that the focus of the reviews will be on the allegations centred on the Canberra Hospital and not a broader ‘witch hunt’,” Mr Hanson said.
1 March 2010
