The State Liberals have reiterated their call for an independent inquiry into allegations of tampering with patient medical records at the Lyell McEwin hospital.
“The appointment of the Chief Medical Officer Paddy Phillips does not satisfy the need for an independent investigation of the altering of a patient record,” said Liberal MLC Rob Lucas.
“With all due respect to the Chief Medical Officer he is a health bureaucrat being asked to investigate the actions of his boss and colleagues.
“The SA Health executive is also being asked to determine whether the Minster for Health has misled the public about this incident and whether patient safety has been compromised.”
Yesterday on ABC 891 radio Dr Paul Newbold, a radiologist at the Lyell McEwin, claimed a file note he had put on a patient’s medical record was tampered with:
Dr Newbold: but three days later it came to my attention that that report has been erased. It’s like I never left home, never drove to the hospital, never put that report in the medical record system and that is very dangerous and very sinister. It’s as though it never happened.
“This is an extremely serious allegation that needs to be subject to an independent investigation that is completely open and transparent,” said Liberal MLC Rob Lucas.
“The inquiry should assess the appropriateness of having a system in which medical records can be altered.
“Information provided to the State Liberals indicates the Health Minister Jack Snelling’s claim that this matter hadn’t been previously bought to the attention of the Chief Executive of Health SA David Swann is incorrect.”
Bevan: … what I said – and it’s David asking you the question Minister – was has this been discussed at the highest level, that is the Chief Executive of Health SA?
Snelling: And the answer to that is no. As I said the first time we became aware of this was yesterday … when you got in contact with us with this information.
The Liberal Party has been informed that this issue was discussed at a meeting soon after the incident attended by Dr David Swan and a senior office from SAMI.
“On the information provided to the State Liberals it is essential that the investigation of this matter is independent of Health SA,” said Mr Lucas.