A review has found there was enough evidence in June last year to delay the troubled November opening of Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.
The Queensland Government ordered the review after months of complaints about cancelled operations, lost medical records and dysfunctional systems at the hospital.
Releasing the report today, Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick said rushing the opening put patient safety at risk.
“The fact that nothing adverse happened was due to the fantastic efforts of the staff,” Mr Dick said.
The review found that staff were still being hired just before the hospital opened, compromising training and orientation for some personnel.
“The review panel contends that sufficient evidence existed in the June/July 2014 period and still in late October 2014, which should have raised sufficient corporate concern over November 29th 2014 being a realistic opening date,” the report said.
“The review panel found across multiple sources and from numerous stakeholders, evidence to support the notion that the building, systems and staff of LCCH were not fully, operationally ready on the 29th November 2014.”
People were fearful, I think, too about speaking out if there were any problems
Beth Mohle, Queensland Nurses Union
The report described clinicians searching for crucial ward, theatre and intensive care equipment in the week before the hospital opened.
At the same time, it also found there weren’t enough soap dispensers throughout the building, posing a potential infection risk.
The report praised hospital staff but found that the team leading the transition lacked expertise.
“The great devotion and effort of all staff involved in delivering the project is evident,” the report said.
“The review panel would contend that the commissioning teams had insufficient previous experience of the complex interdependencies in operationally commissioning a hospital.”
The report found staff morale continues to be a problem.
“Even now over six months post opening of the LCCH, interviewees frequently commented on the levels of fatigue and diminishing resilience amongst them and their colleagues.”
Report shows hospital staff ‘under significant pressure’
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg was health minister at the time of the hospital’s opening.
Current Health Minister Cameron Dick said Mr Springborg needed to account for the rushed opening.
Mr Dick said he could not understand why the opening date was not rescheduled.
“The report demonstrates that the compressed commissioning time put staff at this hospital under very significant pressure,” he said.
“Thankfully, due to their absolute dedication to the care of Queensland children, there was no clinical harm.”
Mr Springborg said the report had been a failed exercise in political point-scoring.
“They found no evidence whatsoever of political interference from the minister to force the board to open a hospital prematurely,” he said.
“In actual fact it quite clearly said the board had informed the minister that it was right to be opened.”
Beth Mohle from the Queensland Nurses Union said staff were reluctant to raise concerns before the hospital opened.
“We heard today about the fact that reports were given to the Minister about the go-live date being appropriate,” she said.
“People were fearful, I think, too about speaking out if there were any problems.
“So it’s really, really critical that we go back to a culture of collaboration and respect.”
Susan Johnston resigned as chairwoman of the Hospital and Health Board on Friday.