Beryl Crosby petitions against health service CEO
Patel-era patient advocate Beryl Crosby says she has been inundated with complaints about Bundaberg Hospital as her petition to sack the board and CEO attracts hundreds of names in just a few days.
Bundaberg
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A petition calling for the sacking of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service board and CEO Debbie Carroll has amassed more than 700 signatures in a few days.
Patient advocate Beryl Crosby said she started the petition because she felt the health service had failed in its duty of care.
“The management of Wide Bay Hospital Health Service are responsible to the public to deliver services that are safe timely and patient safety focused,” she said.
“With all of the complaints that I have received, and escalated, and read about others’ experiences, there is absolutely no doubt that the management has failed in its duty of care to the people of Wide Bay.
“This petition has been set up to give the public a voice and with 650 already signed within (the first) 48 hours, they obviously agree.”
The launch of the petition follows a number of Bundaberg locals coming forward to share their stories of alleged neglect at the hospital.
In July this year, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visited Bundaberg Hospital to launch an investigation into claims of alleged malpractice after a nurse was sacked and three others disciplined.
The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has been contacted for comment.
Crisafulli claims hospital cuts
On December 4, 2022, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli warned health services across the state were facing cuts.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Mr Crisafulli cited an alleged email he said revealed $9 million in funding would be cut from Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital. The cuts would be the equivalent of losing two wards at the PA, and it was a “flagship” for cuts to other hospitals.
“It won’t just be this hospital,” he said.
“This is the tip of the iceberg in one department in one flagship hospital but more will come.”
A spokesperson from Health Minister Yvette D’Ath’s office however refuted these claims.
“Contrary to LNP spin, there has been no cut to any budget for any hospital and health service in Queensland, including Metro South,” they said.
“This financial year the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s budget for Metro South Health, which includes the Princess Alexandra Hospital, increased by $103.3 million.”
Bundaberg Hospital responds
The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service did not answer questions around calls to sack the CEO and board.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath’s office left the response in the hands of the WBHHS, which said they had worked hard on maintaining a relationship with Ms Crosby in her role as a patient advocate.
CEO Debbie Carroll, who Ms Crosby’s petition is against, said executives had always kept open lines of communication.
“Executives from the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service and Queensland Health have been meeting monthly with Ms Crosby to address any emerging concerns brought to her attention,” she said.
“In addition to this, our executives have remained flexible and accessible to Ms Crosby to ensure conversations can be held outside of these regularly scheduled meetings.”
Ms Carroll said the last scheduled meeting with Ms Crosby, WBHHS and Queensland Health was on November 21, 2022.
“During that meeting, none of the specific patient concerns that Ms Crosby has subsequently raised via the media, including those raised on 22 November 2022, were presented or discussed,” she said.
“We are disappointed that Ms Crosby did not use the opportunity provided during these meetings to raise these issues and work in collaboration with us to enhance the quality and safety of services provided to the community.
“We value the opportunity to engage with the community and will continue to schedule regular meetings with Ms Crosby, and any other member of the public needing to raise concerns about patient care.”
The hospital again referred anyone with complaints to go through official channels.
The Clinical Governance Support Unit can be called on 4184 1824 or email WBHHS-CGSU@health.qld.gov.au
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