MEDICAL RECORDS

Ms PORTOLESI (Hartley) (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Health. What has been the reaction to the discovery yesterday of medical records and medical waste in a southern suburbs park?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (15:04): I thank the member for Hartley for this question, and I acknowledge her great interest in medical records—it is a passion she has. Yesterday, in the Camdover Reserve at Huntfield Heights, a very worrying discovery was made of medical records and medical waste. As The Advertiser reports today, there was the discovery of a syringe, soiled bandages, surgical gloves and, most worryingly, I think, medical records, such as test results and prescriptions with confidential patient details contained in them. Obviously, privacy issues are associated with this discovery but, just as importantly, of course, there are safety issues with potentially dangerous items being scattered across a public park which is used by children.

This reserve is located directly behind the Hackham Medical Centre, and the name of the doctor from that centre was written on the documents that were found in the park. As the state president of the AMA has said, this incident is very concerning. According to ABC Radio today, the Liberal Party has called for an immediate investigation into this matter, so I thank it for that. I note that the chief executive of this general practice, Mr Kym Richardson, is also the Liberal candidate for Mawson at the next election. He is also one of my constituents, but I will not hold that against him at all.

Mr Richardson has declined to comment publicly, but today a spokesperson said that he had 'nothing to do with the day-to-day running of the practice' for which he is the chief executive officer. I understand that, according to ABC Radio, Mr Richardson said that he would regard this incident as 'annoying'. Personally, I think and most people would think, especially the patients affected and the parents of the children who might be affected, that the safety and privacy issues involved would indicate that this incident is more than just annoying.

I agree with the Liberal Party that this matter requires immediate investigation. I am very pleased to be able to advise the house that I have referred the matter to the Medical Board and the commonwealth Office of the Privacy Commissioner for their investigations. I have asked both these bodies to investigate the privacy issues and what action, if any, should be taken in this matter. I have also asked the Medical Board whether any action should be taken regarding the doctor whose documents were found or the practice itself regarding what appears to be a breakdown in the proper administration of medical records and medical waste. I have also been advised that the City of Onkaparinga, as the responsible body under the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987, will meet with the practice manager today to discuss the situation and ongoing management.

I think it is appropriate that the member for Hartley asks this question since she has been tireless in working to secure access for patients to medical records in her own electorate. Dr Mark Utten, whose records were in dispute in the matter in which the member for Hartley has been involved, now works for the Fountain Valley Medical Centre which is the subject of the question today. I can inform the house that the member for Hartley is still working with her constituents regarding those records, as many are incomplete or lost.