The Queensland Government has announced a review into what it says are serious allegations about commissioning processes at Brisbane’s new Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.
The purpose-built hospital opened in November last year as the Royal Children’s and Mater Children’s hospitals closed.
Health Minister Cameron Dick said in a statement today this review would examine the building and operational commissioning processes carried out in late 2014.
Mr Dick said the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital had been at the centre of “substantial concerns” raised by parents and staff.
He said the Hospital and Health Service’s own clinical review released last Monday had also raised questions about the commissioning process.
“Families, hospital staff, unions and members of the public have all approached me raising concerns about the lack of nursing staff and trained cleaning staff, the operation of outsourced services like porterage and cleaning, and the lack of a functioning cafe,” Mr Dick said.
Mr Dick said the review would also focus on identifying lessons for future major projects.
“This Government will be commissioning another major hospital on the Sunshine Coast in this term of Parliament, so it is important that the lessons from this experience can be learned,” he said.
He said hospital staff and management had “done exceptionally well in difficult circumstances”.
“The hardworking staff and management at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital are doing a great job of ensuring patients get safe, high-quality care,” he said.
“They have my full support.”