Review into staff care at hospital

TOWNSVILLE Hospital and Health Service has commissioned a clinical review into the care provided by a staff member at Charters Towers Hospital.

Acting chief executive Kieran Keyes could not confirm what incident triggered the review which is being undertaken by a senior clinician from outside the THHS.

The investigation follows another independent review into workplace bullying and harassment at the Charters Towers facility which is expected to be completed next month.

A Queensland Health worker, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the clinical review was about the falsification of patient records.

Mr Keyes said once the review into the care provided by the staff member was completed, it would be referred to the THHS board with recommendations for appropriate action.

The review comes almost a year after THHS commissioned independent assessors to combat workplace bullying and harassment. Three staff were stood down with one person being moved to an alternative role.

Another staff member has had allegations dismissed as being unsubstantiated with the process of transitioning the person back to work under way.

The final still ongoing.

The anonymous health worker said bullying had forced people to resign.

“Five clinical workers have resigned ( over bullying) at Charters Towers off the top of my head and one administration worker in the last six years,” the worker said.

Mr Keyes said bullying and harassment were unacceptable.

“There has been a significant body of work done to im- investigation is prove workplace culture within the THHS over the past 12 months,” he said.

“We have already spent just under $ 500,000 improving workplaces through a number of initiatives including training across the HHS, which 4866 staff have already completed, independent consultants to review complex cases, improving team processes for better responses to our community’s needs, and additional one- onone support for workplace resolution within teams.”

Since the health service began an anonymous hotline for staff to report bullying and harassment complaints in November last year, 75 complaints have been made.

There have been five related to workplace bullying and harassment since July 1 with four having been resolved.

“Despite the drop- off in complaints, I am committed to continuing to roll out these programs which encourage a strong workplace culture,” Mr Keyes said. “I am acting in the chief executive role during Dr Bristow’s temporary secondment elsewhere and I have been fully briefed on these matters and will be advancing them as part of my role with the continued support and oversight of the board.”