Health Minister and State Member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg this week released the following statement prepared for The Sunday Mail by Cancer Council Queensland on Saturday.
“We have received a personal reassurance from Health Minister Lawrence Springborg that centralised oversight of system-wide strategic planning, clinical leadership and governance will be maintained to ensure quality management and safety of cancer screening programs.
“CCQ wholeheartedly supports the Minister’s vision to transform Queensland Health into a more patient-focused service underpinned by strong front-line service delivery.
“CCQ will provide independent evidence-based advice to Queensland Health in response to the current consultation process.
“We welcome the Minister’s commitment to enhancing statewide planning for cancer treatment services by reforming Queensland Health and improving Hospital and Health Services.”
The Minister regrets any concern to cancer sufferers, survivors or the associated medical community that may have been caused by the incorrect article published by The Sunday Mail this week – in particular the omission above statement which was prepared by CCQ to ensure the newspaper was not misinformed. For the record:
nThe consultation process referred to by the CCQ concerns the corporate restructure of QH as announced to State Parliament last month.
nThe only centralised functions of BQ not already delivered by Health regions are Mobile Breast-screening vans (designed to service regional and remote areas) and relief radiographers. These are the functions that will be devolved to regions under the restructure.
nThere will be no change to the scope of Breastscreen Queensland’s operations or to access for Queenslanders to BQ services.
