On 24 January 2008, The Hon Reba Meagher, MP, the NSW Minister for Health, announced a Special Commission of Inquiry into the delivery of patient care within the NSW Public Health System. The first report from the inquiry has been released. Please note this report focuses on the circumstances surrounding the employment of Graeme Reeves by the former Southern Area Health Service.

Overview

As a result of the extensive volume of material to be analysed and the further meetings being planned, Commissioner Garling has been granted an extension of time to complete his report and recommendations. The reporting date has been extended until 28 November 2008.

NCOSS has expressed concern over the narrow focus of the Inquiry. NCOSS has repeatedly stated that if the Government is serious about decreasing the strain on our public hospital system it needs to invest in health prevention and early intervention services. To focus purely on acute care services, as these Terms of Reference do, NCOSS believes is counterproductive to the long-term sustainability and quality of the NSW health care system for the entire community.

NCOSS wrote to the Special Commission of Inquiry expressing concern over the manner in which Public Hearings for the Inquiry are being undertaken. A copy of the NCOSS letter, and the response from the Special Commission of Inquiry, are available in Resources (below).

Resources and downloads

• First Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry, 31 July 2008
• Special Commission of Inquiry response to NCOSS letter of concern, 27 March 2008
• NCOSS letter of concern to the Special Commission of Inquiry, 13 March 2008
• NCOSS Submission to the Special Commission of Inquiry into Acute Care Service in NSW Public Hospitals
• NCOSS Media Release: Inquiry into NSW health system misses the mark
• website: Special Commission of Inquiry into Acute Care Services in NSW Public Hospitals
• The NSW Health website also has details of the Inquiry and its Terms of Reference

Information

• Kristie Brown, NCOSS Senior Policy Officer, Health
  phone: 9211 2599, ext 130
  fax: 9281 1968
  email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it