‘Time for a parliamentary inquiry into suspension of Dr McGinity’

KIM BOOTH
The Tasmanian Greens today called for a full state Parliamentary inquiry into the long-running suspension of Dr Paul McGinity of North East Tasmania, and the situation facing the doctor’s 3000 patients.

(And what the Libs say …)

Greens Member for Bass, Kim Booth MP, said the public held yet another meeting over Dr McGinity’s ongoing suspension at the Scottsdale RSL on July 15th, during which motions were carried condemning the Bartlett Government and the Medical Council for their gross mismanagement of this matter.

“Five months after the mysterious suspension of Dr McGinity, the Medical Council are still investigating and the doctor’s 3000 patients are still being denied access to their GP – it is time for a full Parliamentary inquiry into this matter,” said Mr Booth.

“The lack of care or action from the Bartlett Government and Health Minister Lara Giddings is appalling and the people of the North East will not forget it.”

“This matter has dragged on for far too long and it is high time that the Parliament held its own inquiry into the suspension of Dr McGinity, and the Government’s decision to abandon of his 3000 patients,” said Mr Booth.

…

Brett Whiteley MP
Shadow Minister for Health and Human Services
Peter Gutwein MP
Sue Napier MP
Liberal Members for Bass

Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Call for Joint Select Committee on Medical Act

· Call for Committee investigation in wake of treatment of McGinity and North-East community

· Committee should investigate principles of natural justice and procedural fairness in suspensions;

The Tasmanian Liberals have called for a Joint Select Committee investigation into the Medical Practitioners Registration Act in wake of the treatment of North-East local doctor, Paul McGinity, and the State government’s failure to provide leadership on this issue.
A motion to establish the Committee was introduced in Parliament today, and calls for inquiry into the adequacy of the provisions of the Act with particular reference to –
(a) reviewing existing statutes, procedures and practices for the consideration and notification of suspensions from medical practice, including the essential requirements of natural justice and procedural fairness; and
(b) the adequacy of arrangements currently in place when a medical practitioner is suspended, or reinstated under conditions, which affect the ability to provide medical care to the local community he or she services.
The Liberals have called for the Committee to report by 19 November – the last sitting day of the year.
The Liberals and the North-East community have had real concerns at the lack of leadership from the State Labor Government which has seen a huge gap in the delivery of health services as a result of Dr McGinity’s sudden suspension four months ago, and the subsequent restrictions placed on his ability to continue to deliver services.
If the Medical Council are operating in accordance with the Act, then what we must do is look at the Act and make changes that would prevent a situation where people are left without a doctor, or medications, for lengthy periods.
We must ensure that while guarding against unsafe medical practices, we aren’t denying doctors fair treatment and natural justice.
And we must ensure expeditious investigation of complaints.
The Liberals urge support of the Joint Select Committee by the Labor Government.