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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Gallagher should face ‘scrutiny’ over data scandal

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher says an increase in rates is "a standard practice"
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher .
AS Labor dodges bullets over the data-doctoring scandal at Canberra Hospital by declining to call a Royal Commission into the whole saga, the Liberals have accused Chief Minister Katy Gallagher of a “shameless attempt to cover up systemic failings at the highest ranks of her management”.

Yesterday a report by the Auditor-General into Emergency Department Performance Information at the Canberra Hospital revealed a systematic failing in the ACT health system going back 10 years, with data altering occurring since at least 2009  and 11,700 Emergency Department reports fabricated and probably more than one person involved. One unnamed senior executive, who has been suspended without pay, has admitted to falsifying records because she was under pressure and fearful. She has apologised for her actions.

Opposition Leader Zed Seselja said the senior executive’s admission and findings that they did not act alone, must be thoroughly investigated.

“This deception was on a massive scale and speaks volumes of a sick health system under Katy Gallagher?s management,” Mr Seselja said.

“The Auditor General found that the senior executive did not act alone, that there were systemic failures at the Canberra Hospital, and that inappropriate pressure was being applied to ‘fix the numbers’ by very senior management.

“Serious allegations have also been made that results were fabricated to meet Katy Gallagher’s expectations.

“Clearly, these issues have not been rectified and only way to clear the stench that surrounds this scandal is through the powers of a Royal Commission.

“Katy Gallagher has hung the individual found responsible out to dry, and refuses to open herself up to further scrutiny which could explain which other staff were involved, and the systemic failures that led to this undue pressure.”

 

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Ian Meikle, editor

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