Women's and Children's Hospital

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:08): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Health in another place, a question about the Women's and Children's Hospital.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: The reputation of the once world-renowned Women's and Children's Hospital has taken a significant hit in recent years. The reasons for it have been the subject of countless stories in the media. Frontline clinicians have warned about a dire lack of medical and nursing staff, resources and equipment at the hospital, which has had a multimillion-dollar backlog of medical equipment requiring upgrading or replacing.

Those same frontline clinicians have also been scathing of the health executive led by chief executive officer, Ms Lindsey Gough, and blame it for the hospital's demise. I have been informed that, in the final months of the former Liberal government, Ms Gough's contract was renewed, much to the frustration of many clinicians and nurses working there. My questions to the minister are:

1. Does this minister believe Ms Gough has operated the hospital to its full capacity over the past four years?

2. Does this minister have confidence in Ms Gough in her current capacity?

3. Does this minister have confidence in the hospital's executive team?

4. Does this minister have confidence in the hospital's board overall?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:09): I thank the honourable member for her question and I will refer it to the minister in another place and bring back a reply in relation to that question.

While I am on my feet, I am advised that in answer to a question the honourable member asked earlier—a case I think from 18 months ago, and was that the Summerfield decision—my advice is (and, again, if it is not correct I will triple-check that) that referred to a different case where there was a suggestion of interference with medical reports.