Health Legislation (Waiting List Integrity) Amendment Bill 2015

Opposed the bill, arguing federal LNP funding cuts to hospitals were the real threat to health certainty and that the LNP could not be trusted to deliver on health.

“That is the reason I think we can all say that we are safe in opposing this bill.”— 2016-03-16View Hansard

As the bill's sponsor, argued that disputes over waiting list data integrity have persisted regardless of which party is in government, and that establishing the Health Ombudsman as an independent auditor would remove politicians from the process and provide transparent, accountable reporting.

“The intention of this bill is to remove the game that is played in this House by all sides of politics—remove the concept of us blaming them, them blaming us—and putting control of what is important data in regard to health but also the long-term planning of this state into an independent person who can then make a proper assessment and provide the relevant audit to the government and also the public.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

As the bill's mover, argued in reply that an independent Health Ombudsman should audit hospital waiting list data to end partisan disputes over data integrity and improve health system planning.

“This particular clause will allow the ombudsman to assess and check that data... Isn't that what Queenslanders want? They want transparency and accountability and they want to be certain they are being told the truth.”— 2016-03-16View Hansard

As Health Minister, opposed the bill as unnecessary duplication that would create an extra layer of bureaucracy, take money away from front-line services, and add no value given that Queensland Health already publishes transparent performance data and is independently audited by the Queensland Audit Office.

“I will not have our health system bound up in red tape. The members opposite lecture to the Australian Labor Party and other political parties about reducing red tape when they want to create another bureaucracy in the largest and most complex department and system in the state, being Queensland Health.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

Supported the bill as based on sound evidence-based principles, arguing that independent auditing by the Health Ombudsman would enhance data integrity and provide confidence in referral decision-making by doctors.

“Establishing the Health Ombudsman as the independent reviewer of clinical wait times for Queensland patients in the public hospital system would potentially resolve one of the key issues of data integrity, as auditing by the Office of the Health Ombudsman would signal an enhanced requirement by the Department of Health to achieve and ensure further improvements in health data integrity.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill as poorly thought out and politically motivated, arguing that health performance should not be reduced to a single waiting list number and that the existing CARU body already performs the auditing function competently, with even the Health Ombudsman saying he lacked the resources and expertise for the role.

“To accuse the government of having no plan and then to stand in here and say that our plan is to simply create a bureaucracy which replicates a service that is already being delivered and replicate functions that are already being delivered and to pass it off to somebody who does not want it and has admitted they do not have the expertise to do it and does not have the resource to do it seems the height of ludicrousness to me.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

As committee chair, opposed the bill on the grounds that it duplicates existing functions, is inconsistent with the Health Ombudsman's remit, and that the case for a data integrity problem had not been established in either the explanatory notes, submissions, or committee hearings.

“At no time has the case been made during the member for Caloundra's introductory speech, in the explanatory notes, in submissions provided to the committee or during evidence provided to the committee during its public hearing that there is an issue with the transparency, accountability or integrity of waitlist data and a desire or need to duplicate this function in the Office of the Health Ombudsman.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill, noting three of four submissions opposed it and the Health Ombudsman himself said the function did not sit comfortably with his existing role. Praised the government's investment in reducing specialist outpatient long waits.

“I do not think I have ever seen an inquiry in this House having fewer submitters, with only four in this case. It clearly demonstrates the lack of interest in this particular bill.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill as demonstrating a stunning lack of self-awareness by the opposition, arguing it would create unnecessary bureaucracy and divert resources from front-line services. Criticised the LNP's previous wait-time guarantee as a gimmick that spent $77 million on advertising without funding additional health services.

“The only thing the wait-time guarantee could actually guarantee Queenslanders was that patients would have to wait to get onto the waiting list. That was its only guarantee.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

Supported the bill as promoting openness and accountability, arguing that independent auditing and publishing of waiting times would give Queenslanders a full picture of hospital performance in line with the AMAQ's policy position.

“This bill establishes the Office of the Health Ombudsman as the independent body to review and publish waiting time data and sets out its functions and powers.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a gimmick that would divert the Health Ombudsman from dealing with patient complaints into counting data, arguing front-line services should be the priority rather than creating duplicative red tape.

“They are not saying that the Health Ombudsman should be talking about things that are at the heart of the health system like our nurses, who they sacked in huge numbers. They are talking about counting things like air charter companies and hotel operators and number crunchers.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill, noting that no key stakeholders supported it including the Health Ombudsman, nurses' union, Together union and the department. Argued the LNP has no integrity on waiting lists given their wait-time gimmick left over 100,000 Queenslanders waiting longer than clinically recommended.

“No-one wants this bill. Is it any wonder that only seven per cent of the LNP party room is prepared to speak on the bill tonight?”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill as unnecessary duplication that would require new staff recruitment and training for the Health Ombudsman's office, noting the Health Ombudsman himself said the function does not align with his existing role and he lacks the resources to perform it.

“I do not see it sitting comfortably within the existing functions, because the existing functions are around managing health complaints and, fundamentally, protecting the health and safety of the public.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill, expressing concern that the Health Ombudsman was not consulted during development. Drawing on his experience as a paramedic and member of the MEDAI committee, argued the bill would duplicate existing data management functions and further burden hospital and health services.

“Why would you not consult the very person who is going to be at the forefront of delivering this?”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

As a registered nurse and committee deputy chair, supported the bill to add transparency to hospital waiting times. Cited the Auditor-General's finding of a lack of accountability for accurate data that leaves the system open to manipulation, and praised the LNP's record in reducing waiting lists when in government.

“The Auditor-General report titled Emergency department performance reporting mentioned that there was a lack of accountability for accurate and reliable data that leaves the system open to manipulation. This bill will implement a new level of external auditing and transparency that has never existed before under Queensland Health's own internal reporting mechanisms.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

As a committee member, opposed the bill as duplicating the existing work of CARU. Noted the Health Ombudsman stated it was not a core function of his office and that wait-time data is already published online by Queensland Health on a monthly basis for 61 hospitals.

“The Health Ombudsman stated that, if accepted, the bill would simply duplicate the existing quality assurance data already collected by CARU. More importantly, he also stated—and I should know because as a member of that committee I asked him directly—that it was not a core function of his office.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard

Opposed the bill as delivering more red tape and doubling the administrative workload for Queensland Health staff. Argued the bill would take time and resources away from front-line health service delivery without improving patient care.

“At the end of the day, if asked whether this bill would have improved his health care, I would answer no.”— 2016-02-24View Hansard