Red News Readers,
You have to feel sorry for these families caught up in the problems and complexities of the health system. They have the right as taxpayers to expect better from the hospital system and the HCCC. But there is some doubt whether the under-resourced HCCC can cope with the caseload that is now coming its way. There was a temporary increase in funding after Campbelltown Camden but now it is back to business as usual. If governments want the health system and the HCCC to do better, governments need to do better in supporting these services so they can do their job efficiently.
Jenny Haines
Garling inquiry sparks complaints against hospitals
By Kate Sikora, Daily Telegraph
December 05, 2008 12:00am
MORE than 200 complaints against hospitals and doctors will be investigated in the wake of the Garling inquiry into NSW's ailing health system. But some patients and families who fronted the inquiry fear their complaints will come to nothing.
Commissioner Peter Garling handed down the report from the Special Commission of Inquiry into acute care in NSW public hospitals last Thursday. The commission was convened after Sydney woman Jana Horska miscarried in a toilet at Royal North Shore Hospital.
In his report, Mr Garling referred to 213 complaints to the Health Care Complaints Commission for further investigation. However, widow Jacqui Day - whose husband died at Concord Hospital - has little faith in the HCCC providing justice.
"As far as I am concerned the HCCC is a sham," she said.
"To me they don't investigate, they don't press charges against doctors and they protect the doctors."
Emergency rooms facing closure
Mrs Day's husband Andy, a 45-year-old police detective inspector, was being treated for pneumonia but died when his oxygen tube came adrift for the second time in six hours.
After an inquiry behind closed doors, the HCCC found the hospital had provided below standard care to Mr Day, yet the treating doctor was only given counselling.
Like so many hundreds of families who felt they have been "blown off" by the HCCC, Ms Day gave evidence at the Garling inquiry, hoping for a second chance at justice.
"I am disappointed Mr Garling did not make more recommendations about the HCCC," she said.
About Me
- JENNY'S RED NEWS
- Dear Fellow Bloggers, For some time I have thought about starting a left of centre news and commentary service and I have tried to do this by using email. But as some good, but email overloaded friends have suggested, a better way to go may be by blogging. So here it is! Jenny's Red News. My primary interests are left of centre politics and the very important question of how can we get left of centre parties, groups and grouplets in Australia working together more co-operatively. The right of centre predominates politics in this country at the present time, and they are on the march. We on the left of centre need to work together more co-operatively and constructively to put the left of centre agenda out there, for the perusal and consumption of the Australian people. Particular topics that will be reported on and on which comments are welcome are: Industrial relations - Opposition to Workchoices Refugee and Asylum Seekers Human Rights Civil Liberties Opposition to the Welfare to Work Changes Health System Reform Aboriginal Health and Reconciliation Jenny Haines posted by JENNY'S RED NEWS at 12:50 AM 0 comments