Thursday, March 26, 2009

Premier and Health Minister Lucas: Why is the Ethical Standards Unit playing another game of "pass the parcel" with another protected Whistleblower?

Premier and Health Minister Lucas,

Why have your Ethical Standards Unit sycophants decided to "pass the parcel" and send another protected Whistleblower back to LkA Group to be interviewed - at taxpayers expense - after there is clear evidence that these investigations and their findings are not true and correct? These private companies are restricted by Queensland Health to very narrow terms of reference. The Whistleblower is then in turn restricted at any interview to very narrow terms of reference. The Whistleblower is limited to their choice of support person. The private company often only interview management. Often witnesses suggested by the Whistleblower are never interviewed and the list goes on.

These matters are often delayed for many months and eventually the Whistleblower may or may not be informed of the outcome. If the Whistleblower wants to find out the outcome after many months of fruitless waiting, they usually then have to spend money to obtain the outcome through Freedom of Information.

In the meantime, the abusers remain employed at Eventide, Brighton and credible staff begin to realise that reporting witnessed assault to management, will eventually lead to termination of their employment, reprisal, intimidation, bullying, victimisation or no further work, if they are casuals. SING suggests that driving the reporting of abuse/assault underground, is of course the intention of management.

In this particular ??? report below, the Director of Nursing, Eventide, Brighton states:
Ms ....... did not know Ms Smith very well as Ms .......'s role meant that she did not have much contact with AIN's ( Assistants in Nursing). An interesting comment and very disturbing.

SING HAS RECENTLY SPOKEN TO A DETECTIVE AND THE ADVICE WAS: STAFF NEED TO CONTACT THE QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE ASSAULT. IF STAFF DO NOT ACT QUICKLY AND REPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE TRAIL RUNS COLD.

SING SUGGESTS THAT AN INQUIRY INTO EVENTIDE, BRIGHTON IS URGENTLY NEEDED.

3 comments:

  1. Ethical Standards Unit is just another waste of taxpayers dollars. All they do is look at the case and hand it back to management to deal with. Then if management scratch there heads over it they then pass it on to a private investigation team. They then say there is insufficient evidence to make any further findings of fact about the allegation? How much does this cost? After all this innocent people are crucified and management go on with there daily routine. Then you have abuse of our elderly and management turn a blind eye. Why? Because they don't want any departments looking into what is really going on. They are all on big salaries and they want to keep it that way.

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  2. To be heard, to remain credible, to seek the truth.
    You need the following advise:
    Always request the meeting to be recorded.
    Always have a copy of the topics to be discussed.
    Have a credible support person - not necessarilty the union representative ( unions and management do deals)
    Take your own notes.
    Do not discuss anything other than the topics on the agenda.
    Request a copy of the meeting minutes or notes.
    Attend the meeting at a time you are at your peak of concentration.
    Request clarification on any topic that you feel uncomfortable to discuss.
    Leave the meeting if you feel you need a break.
    Leave the meeting if you feel you need further advice.
    Challenge actions taken as a result of the meeting if you feel it is not fair and or lawful.
    If you receive this in a response statement :
    "It is not necessary that the management action be perfect or above criticism. It need only be resonable with the term 'reasonable management action' permitting failings; deficiencies and flaws provided the management action was sound based on reason".
    Obtain legal support to seek advice.

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  3. How much does an enquiry cost?
    Can we start raising funds for one?
    Could we have a public stoneing for those responsible for the pain and suffering inflicted on such vulnerable victims?
    Maybe this would be more effective and not cost the govenment a cent.
    Perhaps it could be an activity for the residents.
    I am sure with all that pain and suffering endured for many years, someone would cast the first stone.

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