Lady Cilento Children's Hospital statements

Statement from Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick

October 23, 2015

It has been reported in the media today that I did not act on complaints about patient care at the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital (LCCH), provided to me at a meeting in my office in March.

This is untrue.

At my request, senior Children's Health Queensland executives attended the meeting so they could also hear directly from staff of CHQ, listen to matters raised and take action on issues arising out of the meeting.

All material provided to me raising clinical concerns at the LCCH was, at the time of the meeting, referred for proper investigation by Children's Health Queensland.

In the interests of openness and transparency I have published on the Department of Health website the material that has been referred to in the media.

The material can be accessed below.

I confirm that all of this material has been provided to Children's Health Queensland for clinical, assessment and review.

The death of any child is extremely sad. It is heartbreaking for parents, family members and friends.

Every death at LCCH is investigated by CHQ as part of its clinical and quality assurance processes. The Queensland Coroner also has the capacity to investigate any healthcare-related death.

In relation to the specific case raised in the media concerning an adolescent boy, I have been advised by Children's Health Queensland that there have been a series of ongoing interactions between LCCH and the family since the meeting in March.

I am advised that the family have asked for privacy and have made it clear they wish to have no involvement in media coverage.

I ask all media outlets to respect the family's wishes.

In its first year of operation the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital is expected to admit more than 38,000 children as inpatients and see around 190,000 children through outpatient clinics. This hospital treats the sickest children in Queensland.

Patient safety and care are my top priorities. I take seriously all concerns about patients, especially when it concerns children.

I am committed to an open, transparent and accountable health system in Queensland.

The Health Ombudsman, Mr Leon Atkinson-MacEwen, is an independent statutory office holder who is required by legislation to act independently, impartially and in the public interest. He conducts his work independently of me as Minister and other members of the Queensland Government.

The Health Ombudsman is responsible for:

  • receiving health service complaints and deciding on the relevant action to deal with them;
  • identifying and dealing with health service issues by taking relevant action, such as undertaking investigations or inquiries;
  • identifying and reporting on systemic issues in the way health services are provided, including their quality;
  • identifying and communicating ways of providing health services that minimises and assists in resolving health service complaints; and
  • report publicly on the performance of the health complaints management system in Queensland.

Anyone can lodge a complaint with the Office of the Health Ombudsman. Complaints can be lodged as follows:

  • 133 OHO (133 646)
  • Level 12, 400 George Street | PO Box 13281, George Street | Brisbane Qld 4003

Related material

Last updated: 15 February 2016