QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT PASSES PATIENT SAFETY LEGISLATION

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health
The Honourable Paul Lucas
29/10/2009
QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT PASSES PATIENT SAFETY LEGISLATION
 
Queensland Parliament has today passed important legislation to improve the safety of patients in hospitals.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas said Parliament had today passed the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2009, which included the introduction of mandatory reporting of misconduct by medical practitioners into hospitals.

Mr Lucas said the mandatory reporting scheme would be required in circumstances where the conduct of a doctor causes or is likely to cause harm to a patient's wellbeing, or if the doctor is involved in sexual misconduct at work.

"Doctors hold the lives of patients in their hands and in these instances, the safety of patients is paramount," Mr Lucas said.

"Under this new legislation doctors will be required to report the conduct of other doctors who are putting patient safety at risk.

"These concerns will be investigated by the Medical Board of Queensland, with appropriate act ion to be taken where necessary.

"Patients expect governments to take action to ensure they are protected when receiving care in hospital, and this legislation is about safeguarding patient safety as well as strengthening the community's confidence in health services," he said.

Mr Lucas said the legislation implemented today was similar to provisions introduced in New South Wales last year and was also incorporated into the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for health professionals to be introduced next year.

"This legislation is a practical way of improving the safety of patients and the health system as a whole," Mr Lucas said.

"It is not about dobbing-in-a-doctor, nor is about turning doctors into police.

"Doctors who are impaired in some way, or suffering from a medical condition or illness will continue to be supported within the system, but it is important that as part of this process we are also ensuring that p atients are protected.

"This is about strengthening our reporting requirements to improve patient safety and we make no apologies for that," he said.

State Parliament also passed the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme Legislation, which Queensland will host and will be introduced by other states and territories by 1 July 2010.

The mandatory reporting provisions will come into effect prior to July next year.