An investigation is underway into a number of serious incidents and deaths at Rockhampton hospital.
The Queensland Government confirmed there had been 33 serious clinical incidents at the central Queensland hospital since 2011 which are being investigated by the Central Queensland Health Service.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the number of clinical incidents was not a direct measure of safety or hospital performance.
He said in the past year, the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service had made significant improvements to administrative and clinical arrangements.
“They deserve recognition for the new initiatives they have taken in this regard,” he said.
“It is important that our staff and the public understand that the reporting of clinical incidents does not describe ‘negligence’ or ‘fault’ on behalf of our staff or our systems.
“Nor does it describe the preventability of adverse patient outcomes.
“Naturally I am concerned that from time to time, a small number of patients are harmed as a result of care they receive in Queensland, as elsewhere.
Opposition Health spokeswoman Jo-Ann Miller said government cuts had made cases more difficult to investigate.
“The LNP Government sacked more than 100 people from the statewide patient safety unit,” she said.
“The LNP Government also abolished the Health Quality and Complaints Commission which investigated.
“I’m certainly concerned about Rockhampton hospital investigating Rockhampton hospital.”
The Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service has been contacted for comment.