New legislation introduced in Queensland following dental infection scare
New legislation has been introduced by the Queensland government after an infection scare, which involved thousands of patients in Carina, near Brisbane. The government has announced tougher measures for clinic regulation after more than 4,000 people in the area were exposed to a risk of hepatitis C as a result of lax infection control procedures.
The government felt it appropriate to act after the Carina clinic was closed down in December. Investigations revealed that patients had been subjected to a risk of blood-born infections, such as hepatitis C as a result of failing to comply with infection control protocol. Now, the government has given health officials the power to investigate and close down health facilities, which don’t meet the required standards.
Health minister, Cameron Dick, explained that cases like the Carina clinic are very rare, but it’s important for health officials to learn from case studies and to do everything possible to protect the public. As a result of new legislation, officials from Queensland Health now have more power to investigate health clinics and providers, and to shut them down if they’re not up to scratch.
Previously, health officers had to give the owners or managers of premises 24 hours’ notice, but under new laws, this will not be the case. Fines for failing to comply with health and safety measures will also increase to between $121,000 $365,000. The new measures will be applicable to hospitals, health centres, dental surgeries and physiotherapy clinics.
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