Hospital staff mustn’t live in fear: union

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QUEENSLAND’S public sector union says health workers need to feel confident they can air their concerns without fear.

TOGETHER union secretary Alex Scott met senior board members of the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane on Friday to raise concerns members had with operations at the new facility.

Coronial inquiries have begun into the deaths of a premature baby and a 22-month-old after treatment at the $1.5 billion hospital, which opened on November 29. Mr Scott said while there was no question the hospital and its staff were working at the best of their capabilities, making concerns known would ensure the best standards are maintained. “We have absolute faith in the quality and dedication of the staff and management of this hospital to provide the best possible care,” he said. “What we’re seeking in today’s meeting is to make sure those discussions about delivering the best possible healthcare are done in an area where people are able to speak out without a culture of fear occurring. “Our members are gravely concerned about the nature of the industrial contracts put in place not allowing doctors to speak out in a way that was going to make sure we can continue to strive to deliver the best possible healthcare.” Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital board chairwoman Susan Johnston said the meeting had brought some issues to light that management was not aware of. She said while it was clear staff had been under intense periods of extra demand, she was confident the quality of care had not been compromised. Ms Johnston said she could not comment on the coronial matters other than to say the hospital would assist the inquiries and provide support to the families of the dead children. She gave an assurance that the hospital remained the best place for children requiring medical care. “I don’t think that’s actually in doubt at the moment,” she said.