On Being a Minister by Hill John;

Author:Hill, John;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: book, BM, BIO010000
ISBN: 9781743054154
Publisher: Wakefield Press
Published: 2016-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

7

CHALLENGES

We must accept life for what it actually is—a challenge to our quality without which we should never know of what stuff we are made, or grow to our full stature.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894), Scottish writer

Shortly after my appointment as health minister and shortly before the 2006 state election, I was advised of a problem at the Berri Hospital in the Riverland. The hospital was in the electorate of Chaffey, held by the sole National Party MP, Karlene Maywald. She supported our minority government and had joined our Cabinet as the Minister for the River Murray. Kid gloves were in order.

Staff at Berri had discovered that a colonoscope had not been properly cleaned since it had been purchased about a year before. As a consequence, more than 200, mostly elderly, people had been potentially exposed to a range of blood-borne viruses, including HIV/AIDS. After a year of use, it was realised the device had two apertures at the ‘pointy end’, rather than the one on the device that had been replaced. The new aperture was tiny and, it was explained to me, was used to allow the proceduralist to squirt air or water, as required, during examinations. During cleaning a droplet of water had collected at the tiny opening concealing its existence—hence it was never properly cleaned.

I discovered the hospital had not followed its cleaning protocols for over a year—they should have checked their systems multiple times each year. Further, I discovered the manufacturer of the colonoscope had offered training in how to clean the new device but it had been turned down. A failure of clinical and administrative governance had occurred. It gave me no comfort to know that the local elected board was responsible—as was the case for all of our country hospitals. I knew who would have to explain in parliament and in the community.

I acted directly and quickly. I sought advice about my powers under legislation and discovered there was a provision, believed to have been used only once before, which allowed me to direct the board to act. So the CE, Jim Birch, the chief medical officer, Chris Baggoley, my staff and I descended on the hospital where I had summonsed board members and managers to an emergency meeting. After reading them the ‘riot act’ we set in train the necessary steps to address the issues, including contacting the 200 people who needed to be tested.

After the preparations had been made I issued a press release providing all of the information to the public. I was expecting huge interest. Two hundred elderly people facing AIDS checks! Surprisingly, the matter received only scant coverage—I think only one TV station in Adelaide covered the story. I am certain if we had attempted to cover up what had happened, interest would have been much greater. Fortunately, none of those tested had been affected—despite the anxiety of having to wait quite long periods for the results.

We were lucky on this occasion, but even when things don’t go as smoothly early intervention, action and an announcement mean the damage is limited.

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