The Wire

Concerns about the quality of care provided in some New South Wales Hospitals last year have virtually paled into insignificance for the people of Queensland, as the nightly news reports an ever growing list of stories about the mistreatment of patients at the hands of Indian-trained Doctor, Jayant Patel, at the Bundaberg Base Hospital. The Morris Enquiry has drawn in high ranking public health officials, now reaching as high as the beseiged state health minister Gordon Nuttle. The Rural Doctors Association Qld President Dr Jon Oldridge says the systemic problems faced by Queensland Health have been developing over the last ten to fifteen years. Australian Doctors Trained Overseas President Andrew Schwarz says Australians must deal with racist attitudes if they hope to attract much-needed medicos.