SECRET VIP HOSPITAL PLAN FOR GAMES FALLEN
PRIVATE ROOMS FOR VISITING ILL
GAMES officials, dignitaries and athletes will be rushed through the Gold Coast University Hospital under a confidential “VIP pathway” where they get private rooms and free treatment.
Nurses are being employed as spotters to ensure high-priority patients in the Emergency Department and other wards are removed from waiting areas to their own rooms.
Doctors must immediately write up discharge paper work for VIP patients under the Games protocol which is dividing staff who want to attend to those patients in most need of care.
The Games VIPs are provided with a “clean ambulance”, which includes a security officer, and not required to pay for the transport or care.
By comparison, visitors without cover can expect to be billed $1740 for treatment such as loss of consciousness or $1240 for acute stomach pain.
A hospital staffer told the Bulletin: “We are being told to see anyone associated with the Commonwealth Games first, move them through faster and make sure they all have private rooms. Obviously it’s to the detriment of everyone else.
“They’re getting nurses to pop them out of the waiting rooms into a private room. It’s a heap of work for the nursing staff. They’re getting all the discharge work done quickly.
“Sometimes that can take two to three days. A doctor has to type it all up before they leave. It doesn’t sit well. They are walking on eggshells to make sure everything is right.”
Confidential documents show 9250 people have special patient accreditation, ranging from “very high priority”, which includes the Royal family and Commonwealth Games Federation members, to “high priority” team members.
“We’ve seen a few of them go through. They’re not someone you’d recognise. They could be there for the lawn bowls,” the staffer said.
The GC2018 “designated hospital manual” details how a
Games Liaison Officer must ensure that a VIP secures “an escort in the hospital to allow for smooth flow” during their treatment.
“The minimum expectation is for an expedited, confidential pathway for accredited Games family members,” the report said.
A dignitary car park is being provided.
Health Minister Steven Miles has previously told Parliament the health service was working hard to ensure essential public health-care facilities were maintained for residents.
A Queensland Health spokesperson said the University Hospital treated everyone based on clinical need, which would not change during Commonwealth Games.
“We are working with GOLDOC to ensure the best possible care is provided to athletes and visitors while also maintaining normal operations for Gold Coast locals,” the spokesperson said.
“Between the 1400 medical staff GOLDOC has and the 9000-plus staff working for Gold Coast HHS, people can trust they’ll get the treatment they need, when they need it.”
Both Opposition health spokesperson Ros Bates and Bonney MP Sam O’Connor are aware of confusion among staffers about protocol and concerns of locals about treatment.
“I haven’t got a problem with VIPs. Most hospitals will treat dignitaries in a particular manner,” Ms Bates said. “But we have to make sure all patients are seen on their signs and symptoms. The taxpayers of Queensland are paying for a public health system. They should be treated the same as everyone else.”
Mr O’Connor said he was concerned about the number of VIPs and the impact on locals.
“Will Gold Coasters get bumped for someone on this priority list? It’s the largest event in our history and hospital staff should be able to see people based on their injuries, not their status,” he said.
“This does not sit well with staff who have been in touch with me.”
WE ARE BEING TOLD TO SEE ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES FIRST, MOVE THEM THROUGH FASTER AND MAKE SURE THEY ALL HAVE PRIVATE ROOMS. OBVIOUSLY IT’S TO THE DETRIMENT OF EVERYONE ELSE. HOSPITAL STAFF MEMBER