NSW: Doctors challenged to present evidence of waiting times

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2008
NSW: Doctors challenged to present evidence of waiting times

SYDNEY, April 3 AAP - Doctors alleging NSW hospitals are fudging figures on waiting
times should present their information to authorities, NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher
says.

Ms Meagher today told NSW Parliament two hospitals - Sydney's Prince of Wales and Gosford
- would have their emergency department waiting time figures audited, along with nine
other hospitals.

It follows confirmation last week from NSW Health that one person was found to have
doctored emergency department waiting time figures at Gosford Hospital.

That matter was referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Ms Meagher said the audits were in response to doctors' claims figures had to be doctored
in order to meet targets.

NSW Health has written to the doctors who had made the allegations, asking them to
come forward with their information, Ms Meagher said.

"Let's make it very clear that the doctors who are making those allegations are, in
fact, the managers of their units," Ms Meagher told reporters.

"They should take very seriously the allegations they are making."

Ms Meagher said the government took very seriously the performance reporting of its
hospital and that was why independent audits were being undertaken.

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KEYWORD: RECORDS MEAGHER

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