Bundaberg politicians clash over WBHHS review of staff, medication

Bundaberg politicians have clashed over findings of a long-awaited report into the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, calling for resignations, apologies and fact checking.

Bundaberg politicians have clashed over a long-awaited review into healthcare at Bundaberg Base Hospital, with an MP slamming the “sanitised” summary of the findings.

The Queensland Health-commissioned independent review was launched after concerns were raised about malpractice at the hospital, which Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett alleged resulted in the death of a patient.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Debbie Carroll and board chair Peta Jamieson said in a statement about the Clinical Review and Health Service Investigation that it found no evidence of patient harm.

Executive summaries and 39 recommendations were made public but Queensland Health has refused to release the full report.

Mr Smith said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing top of the line health care. Photo Paul Beutel

Following its release Bundaberg MP Tom Smith called on Mr Bennett to apologise for claims he made surrounding the investigation.

“The Member for Burnett said he had evidence that proved nurses were deliberately overdosing patients and killing those patients,” he said.

“He went further to say he had proof the WBHHS board was covering up criminal activities.”

The report outlined there was no evidence of malpractice, patient harm or death through deliberate actions of nurses.

Mr Smith questioned if Mr Bennett should be allowed to hold his position after he “wrongly accused nurses of committing possible acts of manslaughter or murder”.

“I said from day dot, if Mr Bennett has any evidence of the allegations he must present them to the health minister, and must take evidence of criminal activity to the police,” Mr Smith said.

“How many patients have possibly not reported to the Bundaberg Hospital because they were in fear of the comments made by the Member of Burnett?

“We need to ask the question, is it tenable for a member of parliament to still hold their position when they have wrongly accused nurses of committing possible acts of manslaughter or even murder?”

Burnett MP Stephen Bennett supported claims brought forward by patient advocate Beryl Crosby.

Mr Bennett refuted Mr Smith’s claims that he spread misinformation.

He questioned why findings were only being released now after the report was completed in November, and why it was not released in full.

“Queensland Health has released a sanitised summary of the investigation instead of the full report,” he said.

“I can’t help but ask why, what are they hiding?”

He said all efforts were made to report allegations of malpractice, including contacting the authorities.

The report outlined 39 recommendations, which Mr Bennett said should be enough evidence for Mr Smith to admit not all is well in Bundaberg’s health care.

“The local member wanted to politicise it and more disappointingly this report has shown patient service is substandard,” he said.

“He should be working with us to make sure the Base Hospital service improve, 39 recommendations does say you have a problem on your watch.”

A Queensland Health spokesperson said the full reports were not released because the Director-General was “satisfied” the executive summaries were comprehensive enough to inform the community.

They said the investigation examined care of patients at an individual level and was not suitable for release.