Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle

October 13, 2015

The LNP has accused the State Government of wanting to stack local Health Boards with “union bosses”.

Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle said while touring hospitals around Queensland over the past few weeks, many people had raised concerns about Labor’s intentions.

“Hospital and health boards must be independent to ensure decisions are in the best interests of Queensland patients,” Mr McArdle said.

“The Boards are comprised of local people with local knowledge.

“Under the LNP, we introduced a policy dictating all boards must have one doctor and one nurse.

“Feedback from health staff reveal Labor plans to use unions as its main ‘governing’ body with the boards no longer being independent and merely a partner.

“This revelation will cause outrage in Queensland communities and is nothing more than a blatant political move threatening the integrity and independence of the boards.”

Mr McArdle said that only a few weeks ago Health Minister Cameron Dick chose not to reinstate a doctor on the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Services Board.

“This makes Central Queensland the only Health Board in Queensland without a doctor as a member,” Mr McArdle said.

He said it was crucial that Health Boards have the right mix of medical and clinical knowledge.

“Any move to remove vital expertise from health boards is fraught with danger for patients,” he said.

“Queenslanders didn’t vote for this.”


 

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