New information technology equipment at the new $1.5 billion Lady Cilento Hospital at South Brisbane may not be fully operating when the new children’s hospital opens in three weeks, according to reports on the ABC-TV.
Information obtained by the ABC under Right to Information searches show low-to-medium risk that information technology in the cardiac services area may not be “available for day one.”
The documentation shows the patient risk is “high”, but the likelihood listed as “possible.”
Queensland Health say if a cardiac operation is needed – and the equipment is not fully available, the operation could take place at the nearby Mater Hospital.
“If it required urgent cardiac surgery, there is a contingency available to work with the Mater to be able to have that surgery,” Queensland Health’s director-general Ian Maynard told the ABC.
The Lady Cilento Hospital is set to open on November 29.
Staff have also raised some concerns about medical equipment and office space being available by opening day, according to the reports.
In June 2014 Dr Peter Steer, who oversees the new Lady Cilento Hospital, ordered no further changes be made to staff requests to allow the new hospital’s equipment to be installed by November 29.
Dr Steer, the chief executive of Children’s Health Queensland asked that any further requests for equipment and room changes be made after the new hospital opens on November 29.
Mr Maynard said patient safety was Queensland Health’s first priority and said contingency planning was in place for the low risk that some IT equipment may not be fully functioning on day one.
Comment has been sought from the office of Health Minister Lawrence Springborg.
Source: Brisbane Times