28 February 2008

NSW Government offers support to former patients of Dr Reeves

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today said a telephone counselling and support service has been established to support former patients of Dr Graeme Reeves.
The freecall Helpline number is 1800 469 525. Staff at the Helpline will make an initial assessment of a caller’s needs and arrange for workers from an appropriate counselling service to contact the caller to arrange for further assistance.
“To the women who have come forward I commend your courage and apologise to all of you for the awful experiences you suffered at the hands of someone who acted so despicably,” Ms Meagher said.
“While I know these are often difficult experiences to talk about, I would encourage you to contact our counselling professionals.”
Ms Meagher said she was also aware that concerns have been raised about whether compensation will be available.
“I want to assure the community that the NSW Health system will take responsibility for any failings of public hospitals relating to Dr Reeves practice.
“The Department has in place specific provisions to ensure early evaluation of medical negligence claims prior to the commencement of any formal legal proceedings.
“I have made it clear that I expect NSW Health to use these procedures to deal with any negligence claims against public hospitals arising from these cases.
Ms Meagher said she had also instructed the Director-General of Health to work with the Medical Board to identify all doctors registered and practising in public health facilities in NSW that have conditions on their practice as a result of disciplinary proceedings.
“The Director General has directed all NSW Health Chief Executives to conduct an urgent audit of these doctors to ensure they are practising in accordance with the conditions imposed by the Board,” Ms Meagher said.
Dr Reeves was appointed by the Southern Area Health Service in early 2002 on the strength of NSW Medical Board documentation provided by the applicant.
While a common practice at the time, there was not a mandatory process in place for independent checking of the registration status of candidates for medical positions with the NSW Medical Board.
“I am not going to make excuses for the former Southern Area Health Service’s recruitment of Dr Reeves,” Ms Meagher said.
“But, as the Medical Tribunal found in 2004, the Area Health Service was deceived by a dishonest individual at a time when there were gaps in the screening process.”
Since that time there has been a significant overhaul of screening and recruitment measures:

• In March 2005 the NSW Government mandated the requirement that public health organisations verify the qualifications provided by applicants with the NSW Medical Board.
• In September 2006 the Medical Board added a full list of doctors registered in NSW on its website and any conditions attached to their registration.
• In 2006 we further mandated that public health organisations must verify any claims made by an applicant in respect of selection criteria for a position.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au