Tom Smith demands apology from Stephen Bennett over Bundaberg Hospital claims

A series of ‘attacks’ on the Bundaberg Hospital from an LNP MP had triggered ‘anger and disappointment’ among frontline health workers, the Health Minister and Bundaberg MP Tom Smith have claimed, but the MP is not backing down.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith has called on his Burnett colleague to visit the Bundaberg Hospital and give the staff there a personal apology.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith has called on his Burnett colleague to visit the Bundaberg Hospital and give the staff there a personal apology.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, who had recently been the target of questions on notice in parliament from Burnett MP Stephen Bennett, joined Mr Smith in criticising Mr Bennett for the hurt and hardship he had caused to health workers.

In recent weeks, a number of Bundaberg residents have come forward to share stories and concerns about their Bundaberg Hospital experiences in the wake of allegations of medication misuse at the facility.

In a joint statement, Ms D’Ath and Mr Smith rejected claims the hospital had run out of food or medication and was in “crisis mode”.

“The LNP don’t seem to understand when they make false claims against our hospitals and our health workers, it can have dangerous consequences,” Ms D’Ath said.

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has been highly critical of Bundaberg Hospital and Queensland Health.

“Whether it be claims about food or wait times, LNP’s lies have the potential to influence someone’s decision to go to an emergency department, when any delay could be deadly,” they said.

“They only care about the political damage they can inflict and never about the care of sick Queenslanders.”

The duo said Mr Bennett’s criticism of the hospital in recent weeks had been a political tool.

“But what do you expect? We know what the LNP thinks of regional health workers because Ros Bates had the gall to call them ‘duds’ in Parliament. It has been a month now and she still refuses to say sorry,” Ms D’Ath said.

Mr Smith labelled Mr Bennett’s hospital concerns an “attack”.

“Stephen Bennett showed his true colours last week when he attacked our frontline health workers with his false and dangerous accusations,” he said.

“In the days following his attack on our Emergency Department staff, I have had a number of health workers contact me to describe the distress and hurt they and their colleagues have experienced.”

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has joined Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith in calling for an apology from Burnett LNP MP Stephen Bennett in a joint statement. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Smith said paramedics, nurses, orderlies and even volunteers had all reached out to him to express their anger and disappointment towards the LNP in Bundaberg.

“Our frontline health workers have worked extremely hard, under extremely challenging times,” he said.

“When an elected representative turns on our nurses and doctors, by continuously reporting false accusations, the elected member threatens their integrity, well-being, and potentially their safety in the workplace.

“It’s pretty clear Stephen Bennett needs to front up to the Bundaberg Hospital and apologise to all the health workers for the distress he has caused.

In crisis? Mr Smith denies Bundaberg Hospital is embattled.

“I will always stand up for our hard-working frontline workers. It’s a shame that the LNP continue in always talking them down.”

Mr Bennett hit back, saying Mr Smith and Ms D’Ath’s statement was “out of touch”.

“These claims are baseless and show just how out of touch this third-term arrogant government has become,” he said.

“My job is to voice our region’s concerns.

“When I get countless calls from patients, doctors, and nurses regarding the desperate situation at the Bundaberg Hospital, I’m not going to ignore them. I will represent them and help in any way I can.”

Mr Bennett ruled out an apology.

“I will not apologise for giving hard-working staff and patients a voice,” he said.

“They deserve so much better than the disappointing and selfish treatment they’re seeing under this State Labor Government.

“It’s clear the Health Minister and the Member for Bundaberg are trying to backtrack and cover up the reality at the Bundaberg Hospital.”

Mr Bennett reiterated earlier claims the hospital was at crisis point.

“The health crisis in the WBHHS worsens daily but our calls for action on governance and management continue to be ignored by the Minister and the local labor political activist,” he said.

“In attempting to deflect from the last seven years of failures, they’re letting down the people of Bundaberg and our frontline health staff.

“Ultimately, I trust my constituents. I trust the patients and staff who are calling me in desperation.

“I don’t trust the Palaszczuk Government and their spin doctors.”

Mr Bennett posed two questions on notice to Ms D’Ath in recent days.

The as-yet unanswered questions are:

With reference to June 2019, when the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) was assessed by Queensland Health as delivering top ratings in every performance indicator across finance, Emergency department, elective waiting lists, endoscopy and surgery and that by 2022, the WBHHS has fallen to one of the worst performing Health and Hospital Services in Queensland — Will the Minister advise the planned actions and timeline to re-align the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service with the community’s expectations of a QH top rating Service?

And:

With reference to Queensland Health having a performance rating for Hospital and Health Services as 1. Excellent, 2. Good, 3. Unsatisfactory, 4. Poor — Will the Minister confirm the performance rating for each Hospital and Health Service for the years ending 2019 to 2021 and 2022 to date?