Health Minister Jack Snelling orders investigation into spy cameras at SA Pathology
HEALTH Minister Jack Snelling has ordered a special investigation to determine why two hidden video cameras were placed in an SA Pathology mailroom to spy on workers.
HEALTH Minister Jack Snelling has ordered a special investigation to determine why two hidden video cameras were placed in an SA Pathology mailroom to spy on workers, resulting in one lodging a WorkCover claim for stress.
On Friday, SA Pathology admitted it disguised two cameras in smoke detectors to track “serious allegations” regarding “excessive” delays in processing patient results.
An SA Pathology spokesman said the cameras were installed because doctors were concerned patient care was at risk.
“We were made aware of concerns from doctors of a slow turnaround of test results and reports being dispatched from SA Pathology,” he said.
“The test results and reports are vital in the diagnosis or treatment of seriously ill patients and need to be delivered promptly.”
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Eight SA Pathology employees have contacted an Adelaide lawyer to represent their WorkCover and stress claims, lodged over the past two years.
The lawyer, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to the Sunday Mail through Opposition health spokesman Stephen Wade. The lawyer confirmed one claim was related directly to stress due to the use of the secret cameras.
“(The others) are stress and related industrial issues,” he said. Mr Wade said it was “staggering’’ to have eight WorkCover claims at one organisation.
Opposition Leader Steven Marshall yesterday demanded the Government explain why SA Pathology managers went to “extraordinary lengths” to spy on their employees.
“We can’t believe it would be because of a productivity issue,” he said.
Mr Snelling has asked SA Health chief executive David Swan to conduct an investigation into the use of the cameras.
“But on the surface, it seems to show pretty poor judgment on behalf of the (SA Pathology) management who decided this was appropriate,” Mr Snelling said.