Health and Community Services Complaints Commission Report on Investigation of Royal Darwin Hospital Security Arrangements for the protection of Children and Infants Paediatric Ward 5B Volume 1
Tabled paper 163
Tabled Papers for 11th Assembly 2008 - 2012; Tabled Papers; ParliamentNT
2008-11-27
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https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/280524
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/415989
13. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILIES RESPONSE As required by the Health and Community Services Complaints Act copies of this report as a draft were sent for comment to: The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Health and Families, Dr David Ashbridge. The General Manager of Royal Darwin Hospital, Dr Len Notaras and other staff at RDH who are referred to in the report. The Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Ashbridge, replied on 31 October 20084 and provided further information on 7 November 2008. He accepted all recommendations other than 2, 3 and 5. He advised that CCTVs were installed in Ward 5B on 25 August 2008. He advised that the Security Policy had been revised and would be reviewed annually. A copy of the new policy was provided. It is dated November 2008 and marked to be reviewed in October 2010 which is a two year review period contrary to the CEOs statement about annual review. The draft of this report was also provided to the complainants legal representatives, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) as were the responses of DHF of 31 October and 7 November 2008. On behalf of their client, NAAJA made comments on the report and the explanation of DHF. Those comments have been given to the CEO of DHF. NAAJA stated: there has throughout the process been too much delay in RDH/DHF acknowledging their responsibility for the issues raised by the complaint and positive action taken to resolve them. As opposed to a genuine response to [our clients] complaint, it appears action taken to improve policy processes and procedures have been due to the HCSCC investigation and to avoid publication of adverse findings by the HCSCC rather than as an appropriate and sufficiently urgent response to the adverse incident being the rape of [our clients] infant daughter. Force is added to NAAJAs comment by a close examination of DHFs response of 31 October 2008. RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY DHF RESPONSE SUMMARY AND HCSCC COMMENT 4. Review Security Policy. DHF Comment - recently reviewed November 2008 after receipt of draft report. 6. Staff training package on security. 18. 19. DHF Comment - a package on security and training will be developed as time and resources permit. HCSCC Comment - Lingard Security Report recommended this in 2002. 4 Volume 2 - Appendix DHF 1.