New Victorian health and safety body established following department review

A new body has been established to monitor and improve hospital quality and safety, following a review which found the Health Department oversight is inadequate.

The statewide review was sparked following the deaths of 11 newborn babies in Bacchus Marsh were found to be potentially avoidable.

Safer Care Victoria will be led by world leading clinician Dr Euan Wallace and will aim to have zero avoidable harm in the states health system.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy says the changes will be led by clinicians, she spoke with Neil Mitchell. 

‘We know that there is significant levels of avoidable harm, and some of those are really tragic avoidable harms that result in death.’ – says Hennesey.

Neil asks why has this taken so long? 

‘I think that quality and safety, for too long, has been really treated as the poor cousin of the health system.’

‘That’s not to say that we don’t have terrific hospitals, with terrific clinicians that are incredibly motivated by health and safety.’ – the Minister told 3AW Mornings. 

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