The Queensland Public Hospitals Commission of Inquiry, often referred to as the Davies Commission, was an inquiry into public hospitals in Queensland, Australia. The inquiry was headed by The Honourable Geoffrey Davies AO QC, a former Supreme Court judge of appeal.

Establishment

The commission was established by the Queensland Governor-In-Council in 2005 to investigate, among other things, the conduct of Dr Jayant Patel, a former surgeon of Bundaberg Base Hospital. It was not a Royal Commission and therefore had limited powers. The Commission commenced after the failure of a similar commission headed by Mr Tony Morris, called the Bundaberg Hospital Commission of Inquiry.

Bundaberg Hospital administrators Darren Keating and Peter Leck undertook a court case against Morris.[1] The Morris Inquiry was wound up after Supreme Court Justice Martin Moynihan found Mr Morris had been biased.[2] Hearings began on 23 May 2005.

Findings

The commission found gross negligence in Patel's conduct, as well as systematic failures of management to deal with the problem. Davies recommended that Patel be referred to the public prosecutor for consideration of manslaughter, fraud, and assault charges.[3] In total seventeen patient deaths were referred to police.[1] An extradition process was begun after the police issued a warrant for Patel, acting on 14 offences.

The report also found that amongst Queensland Health bureaucrats concerns regarding "significant and sustained statewide adverse publicity" were rated as significant as "loss of life".[4]

The state chief health officer at the time, Dr Gerry FitzGerald was criticised for his own investigation into Patel, describing it as too positive.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Dan Nancarrow (30 June 2010). "The long road to justice". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Parliament should conduct inquiries, Morris says". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Queensland Public Hospitals Commission of Inquiry" (PDF). 30 November 2005.
  4. ↑ Patrick Lion (3 December 2008). "Public servants fear bad publicity". The Courier Mail. News Queensland. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Inquiry told of conflict between whistleblower and Dr Patel". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 October 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
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