And by day’s end the Health Direcotrate revealed that Kate Jackson, the hospital executive at the centre of the scandal, had resigned.

Ms Gallagher, with head of the Canberra Hospital Dr Peggy Brown and deputy director-general of Canberra Hospital and Health Services Lee Martin, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee for the second hearing into the hospital data scandal.

Along with the committee, comprising Greens’ Caroline Le Couteur (chair), Labor’s John Hargreaves (deputy chair) and Liberal Brendan Smyth, Liberal and Greens health spokespersons Jeremy Hanson and Amanda Bresnan were respectively in attendance.

During the hearing Ms Gallagher agreed that Jackson, who had admitted to altering data, was under “immense pressure”, but that there was no excuse for her actions.

“I can’t get inside that person’s head, as to why she did it,” Ms Gallagher said.

“This is an executive with a large salary who had a lot of trust. The pressure must have been immense. We need a bit of perspective.”

The Chief Minister became defensive when Mr Smyth referred to an interview Ms Gallagher has with radio presenter Ross Solly, where she had said her sister, who works for the hospital, could not have had access to alter the data.

“I have learnt a lesson in appearing before you and I will not let you drag my family member’s name through the mud again,” she said, referring to his suggestion that her sister “already knew” about Jackson being stood down.

Mr Martin could not confirm or deny that he was the supervisor mentioned in the disgraced executive’s statement in the report by the auditor-general, who she believed was putting intense pressure on her to improve performance data.

The auditor-general’s report confirmed that 11,700 files had been tampered with and the alterations were most likely the work of more than one person.

“It’s not that black or white… people can interpret things I say differently compared to others,” he said.

However, Dr Brown did admit there had been complaints about Mr Martin’s managerial style from other employees, but that they had been addressed.

When asked about privacy issues raised in yesterday’s hearing with auditor-general Dr Maxine Cooper, Dr Brown brushed off suggestions of cause for concern.

“The reality is a limited number of people who have access to the system, and the people who do are highly trained professionals.”

Towards the end of the hearing Ms Gallagher accused Mr Hanson of deliberately “diminishing” the confidence of hospital workers.

“Perhaps this whole sorry tale gives us a chance to reflect on our own behaviour,” she said.

“The glee you take in putting out media releases saying we are the worst emergency department – that diminishes these people.”

Ms Gallagher said she hopes to work collaboratively with Calvary Hospital to improve data practices.