The McGowan Government has stepped away from its commitment to provide an independent investigation into the tragic incident at Busselton Health Campus, said Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam.
The panel investigating the incident into Busselton Health Campus tragedy will include just one independent member and be Chaired by a representative from the WA Country Health Service.
In a statement released to media the seven person panel will have only one independent member from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
“The McGowan Government have promised an independent inquiry in the wake of this tragedy and now just a week later have announced it will be Chaired by a representative of the Health Service Provider which oversees Busselton Health Campus,” said Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam.
“The Minister promised an independent panel and it needs to be an independent panel.
“I have no doubt about the professionalism and expertise of the individuals on this panel, but it should be at arm’s length from the health service provider that it is investigating.
“There is also no shortage of professionals who would also be able to deliver both a timely and independent review into this incident.
The Independent Inquiry was called last week following reports that a woman waited about three hours after presenting at the Busselton Health Campus last Tuesday, she died later that day.
“It is vitally important that the family as well as the broader community get some answers around how this tragic incident occurred, and that those answers are provided by a truly independent body – as originally promised.
“We also need to see a commitment from the McGowan Government to address ambulance ramping which has grown to dangerous levels over the past five years.”
