33 investigations underway into incidents involving death or serious harm at Rockhampton hospital #qldpol
Rockhampton Hospital grilling forces Newman into retraction
PREMIER Campbell Newman was pummelled in parliament with questions about deaths and outsourcing at Rockhampton Hospital.
Rockhampton MP Bill Byrne called on Mr Newman to launch an independent inquiry into the quality of health services under Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service on Tuesday.
The Opposition’s demand stemmed from recent media reports of high rates of deaths and injuries at the hospital.
But Mr Newman defended the hospital and said investigations were already underway.
“I have seen nothing but openness and transparency from the hospital service,” he said.
Mr Newman said under his government, health service waiting lists and ambulance times had dramatically improved.
He was later forced to withdraw comments he made after South Brisbane MP Jackie Trad asked him about privatising health services.
Rockhampton Hospital officially announced plans to privatise its radiology services in July.
Ms Trad asked Mr Newman to ensure radiology and other health services would not suffer if further jobs were outsourced.
But Mr Newman said Ms Trad’s questions were “outrageous”.
He argued Labor and Ms Trad did not care about regional Queensland.
Mr Newman withdrew his statement after Ms Trad described them as “offensive” and “arrogant” comments.
Together Union secretary Alex Scott described the State’s current health controversies as all of the LNP’s own making.
He condemned the privatisation of health services. – APN NEWSDESK