Vic: Thwaites alarmed at Royal Melbourne report
MELBOURNE, Aug 30 AAP - Victorian Health Minister John Thwaites today said he was alarmedat a report by the state's Health Services Commissioner identifying dangerous practicesat the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The practices included problems with medication management, patient care and incidentreporting procedures.
Health Services Commissioner Beth Wilson said the problems resulted from cutbacks inhospital funding between 1995 and 2000.
She warned similar problems could also exist at other hospitals, and made 73 recommendationsto address the situation.
Mr Thwaites said Ms Wilson's 73 recommendations would be implemented in full, and manywere already in place.
"All these issues are being addressed by the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and where thereare state-wide implications, we will ensure that they are addressed as well," he said.
Mr Thwaites said best practice nursing systems would be implemented across the hospitalsystem, along with better medication management and reporting procedures.
He said the government had already increased the number of nursing staff in the hospitalsystem, following cuts made under the Kennett government.
"The cuts of the previous government have affected patient care and patient safety,and this report identifies why," he said.
"We've put back 3,300 extra nurses so that there can be a better quality of care.
"In addition, there are 150 extra senior nurses in the system that provide education,support and mentoring for more junior nurses."
AAP bp/mh/mg/bwl
KEYWORD: HOSPITAL VIC
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