Whitsunday MP Jan Jarratt has responded to community calls for an explanation as to why Queensland Health’s credentialing committee decided to limit the scope of Dr Paul Joice’s practice in treating acute care and obstetrics patients.Ms Jarratt challenged Queensland Health to make the details of the committee’s ruling public, saying this matter had become an issue of public interest following extensive local media coverage.
“I believe locals deserve to know the truth, the whole truth, so that there is no longer a question mark hanging over this issue,” Ms Jarratt said.
“I have received many calls from concerned locals wanting to know why Queensland Health made its decision to limit the scope of Dr Joice’s medical practice.
“I wrote to the Director General of Queensland Health asking that Dr Joice be afforded all avenues of natural justice and I have been assured that there is now nothing stopping Dr Joice from treating his patients in hospital.
“However, to be frank, the advice I received provides no clarity as to how or why this decision was made in the first place and it concerns me that neither Queensland Health or Dr Joice have been willing to make these details public.”
Ms Jarratt said she knows Dr Joice personally and has the upmost respect for his dedication as a local medical professional.
“Dr Joice came to me with concerns regarding the credentialing process and I pursued this matter on his behalf – as I would for any constituent,” Ms Jarratt said.
“Dr Joice is entitled to request a review of the Queensland Health credentialing committee’s decision. Equally, I believe this community is entitled to know why this decision was made.
“Where public health and safety are concerned my priority is for truth and accuracy so that locals can make an informed decision for themselves.
“If Queensland Health is unable to make this information publicly available due to issues of privacy, then I hope Dr Joice will grant the organisation permission to release the details of its decision.
Dr Paul Joice who wants to wholeheartedly thank his patients and community members for standing by him and his wife, said he was pleased that Ms Jarratt recognised the gravity of the situation.
“I am pleased she has seen what impact this has had not only on my family and my patients but the whole community. I am grateful that she has gone out of her way to ensure there is some fairness in the whole situation.
“However I will not be giving Queensland Health permission to release details.
Mackay Health Service District Chief Executive Officer Kerry McGovern said the health service was aware of MsJarratt’s request to make public the material the credentialing committee relied upon to make its decision to limit Dr Joice’s Scope of Practice.
“Due to the confidential nature of this information, Dr Joice’s consent is required before this can happen.
“The District has written to Dr Joice seeking his permission to release, to the media, minutes from the committee meetings and other documents the committee considered, which may include information about reported clinical incidents or near misses.
“Once the District receives written permission from Dr Joice, these documents will be released," Mr McGovern said.
Queensland Health Minister Geoff Wilson said like pilots who are required to maintain flight hours, doctors who want the right to deliver babies in public hospitals needed to demonstrate they continued to maintain their skills.
“It is a matter of public safety,” Mr Wilson said.
“I am advised that Dr Joice failed to satisfy the local credentialing Committee made up of 10 of his clinically trained peers. Their decision was independently reviewed and confirmed by the Director of Rural Health.
“The Committee has provided written reasons to Dr Joice, and explained to him the standard process for getting the decision reviewed. He has not taken up that offer.
“The Committee stands ready, willing and able to consider any paperwork Dr Joice wishes to provide.
“I am further advised the Mackay Health Service District is able to release the minutes of the credentialing committee along with notes of any complaints, clinical incidents, and near misses recorded in relation to Dr Joice if Dr Joice provides his written authority for that to happen.
“But the best course of action would be for Dr Joice to follow the process that every other doctor in Queensland is required to follow: if he has concerns, he should file the paperwork for a review by his peers.”
No comments:
Post a Comment