Whistleblower proposals bad for health
AMA Queensland has fiercely opposed Queensland Health’s proposal to penalise staff who disclose wrongdoing to journalists.
AMA Queensland President Dr Maria Boulton said the Department’s submission to the state inquiry into Public Interest Disclosure laws was offensive to Queensland's medical profession.
“This is a perfect example of what negatively impacts the workplace culture across Queensland’s hospital and health system – and it's exactly what we’re fighting against,” Dr Boulton said.
“Demanding provisions that censor whistleblowers exacerbates that poor culture.
“The secrecy and self-protection must stop or our communities will never enjoy the quality public healthcare they are entitled to.
“We are grateful Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has ruled out adopting this proposal, but we still question how it managed to make it this far through the Department.
“It’s important for Queensland Health to own its accountability for system errors and to create positive change. It will not achieve this through scapegoating whistleblowers.
“Queensland Health is accountable for patient safety and Hospital and Health Service (HHS) performance. Yet these proposed penalties double down on the veil of secrecy we’ve been advocating should be removed.”
Dr Boulton said she saw firsthand the effects of Queensland Health’s approach in her meetings with doctors and patients across the state.
“From Townsville to the Gold Coast, I’ve met doctors who were terrified of losing their job if they were discovered speaking to me, yet they bravely spoke up in the best interests of patients and colleagues,” she said.
“You can’t do your best work in a workplace dominated by fear. Hospital staff have a right to raise public concerns about patient safety and the performance of HHSs.
“Staff deserve complete transparency from their employer – and the public deserves complete transparency from the government department running the publicly-funded health system.
“Queensland Health already has existing mechanisms, including the power to prosecute, to deal with misleading or untrue whistleblower activities. It does not need more powers.”
