Public Health (Water Risk Management) Amendment Bill 2016

Overview

This bill amends the Public Health Act 2005 to make Queensland hospitals and residential aged care facilities actively manage the risk of Legionella and other waterborne hazards in their water supplies. It was introduced after a 2013 Legionnaires' disease outbreak at The Wesley Hospital in Brisbane.

Who it affects

Hospital patients and aged care residents get stronger safeguards against waterborne illness, while hospitals, private health facilities and State aged care providers face new compliance duties, inspections and penalties of up to 1,000 penalty units.

Key changes

• Public hospitals with inpatients, licensed private hospitals and State aged care facilities must have a written water risk management plan covering hazards, testing and response
• Facilities must notify the Department of Health within one business day of any confirmed Legionella detection, with a 1,000 penalty unit fine for intentional failure
• Facilities must submit periodic Legionella testing reports, which the department may publish so the public can see which facilities have detected the bacteria
• Authorised officers can enter facilities during operating hours to check compliance and, if Legionella has been confirmed, enter a resident's private room accompanied by a staff member
• Giving the department a knowingly false or misleading report attracts a maximum penalty of 1,000 penalty units