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Other Parliamentary SpeechesThis page is dedicated to Peter's speeches during parliament that do not fall under Questions or Questions without notice. They range from debating legislation, reporting on events or issues in his seat of Southport and his Ministerial Statements.
Health Quality and Complaints Commission Select Committee's report |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Nov 16 2007 |
| Other Speeches >> |
Mr LAWLOR (Southport-ALP) (10.33 am):
I lay upon the table of the House the Health Quality
and Complaints Commission Select Committee's report, Review of the Health Quality and Complaints
Commission and the Health Quality and Complaints Commission Act 2006.
The select committee makes 37 recommendations within this report to help improve the operation
of the Health Quality and Complaints Commission and the Health Quality and Complaints Commission
Act. The select committee believes that the implementation of these recommendations will improve the
commission's performance and make it easier for both consumers and providers of health services to
interact with the commission.
The main objects of the Health Quality and Complaints Commission Act are to provide for the
oversight and review of, and improvement in, the quality of health services and the independent review
and management of health complaints. The commission's agenda during its first 12 months of operation
has been to establish complaints management processes and introduce standards for health quality and
reporting criteria that will help it assess the quality of Queensland's health systems.
The select committee was, on the whole, satisfied with the progress made by the commission in
its first year of operation.
Throughout the review, the select committee gained the impression that the commission is energised, willing and motivated to improve health quality for all Queenslanders. In this
report, the select committee makes a number of observations and recommendations to improve the
commission's engagement with consumers and the community as a whole and with the smaller health
service provider groups practising throughout Queensland.
The select committee recognises the work the commission has already done to engage providers
and other entities about the quality of health services, including the making of standards and quality
improvement processes. However, there is some way to go before the commission can say it has
successfully engaged all providers and stakeholders on these topics.
The select committee encourages the commission to continue to work towards increasing its
profile with providers and stakeholders, including ensuring these individuals and bodies understand the
commission's role, functions and powers, their own legislative obligations under the Health Quality and
Complaints Commission Act 2006 and, in particular, their obligations in relation to the commission's
standards for health quality.
In addition, the select committee encourages the commission to continue to find innovative
solutions to enhance the access of consumers. This includes the development of a communication plan
and ongoing outreach program, continuing to utilise the expertise of other government agencies, and
giving consideration to the employment of an individual with specific expertise in facilitating the access
and engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
During this review, the select committee considered the current functions and powers of the
Health Quality and Complaints Commission Act and concluded that, in most instances, it is too early to
judge the adequacy or otherwise of the act. The select committee highlights in this report the potential
issues related to the commission's inability to take disciplinary action against providers or to specifically
enforce providers' compliance with its standards. However, in the interests of promoting the
commission's quality improvement agenda, the select committee believes that, for the time being, the
commission's current functions and powers should be maintained. Instead, the select committee makes
a specific recommendation that the commission's functions and powers again be considered in three
years time by another parliamentary committee review of the commission.
The select committee hopes that the commission continues to maintain the high level of output
and enthusiasm it has so far brought to its role and embrace the opportunity it has been provided to
make a real difference in the quality of health services in this state.
On behalf of the Health Quality and Complaints Commission Select Committee, I would like to
thank all of the people and organisations who contributed to this review by making submissions,
participating as witnesses or attending our public hearings or otherwise sharing with us their views and
advice.
I particularly acknowledge the commissioner, chief executive officer and staff of the Health Quality
and Complaints Commission who have cooperated readily with the committee during this review. I also
thank the committee members and secretariat staff for their efforts throughout the review and in
preparing this report for parliament. I commend this report to the House. Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 9:09 AM
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