CCC report: Govt must act decisively on Fong

January 25, 2008

The State Government must act decisively to restore confidence and integrity in the WA health system following the release of a damning Corruption and Crime Commission report into allegations against the Director General of Health, Dr Neale Fong.

"WA's public health system has been under siege for the last seven years and the cloud over Dr Fong's head is a major setback to the reform process he was supposed to be implementing," said association President Prof Geoff Dobb.

"The findings of the report question the integrity and trust of one of the nation's highest paid public servants; it would seem the WA Government has no other option than to replace him."

Prof Dobb said the medical profession and the AMA (WA) had been prepared to work closely with Dr Fong in shaping the future of WA's public hospital system and would continue to offer assistance to anyone who replaced him.

"If Dr Fong is terminated, Health Minister Jim McGinty must act swiftly to stabilise the leadership team, restore confidence, listen to the medical professionals working at the coal face, keep the reform process on track and address the many urgent problems in health.

"The WA Government was elected seven years ago on a promise to 'fix health', but very little has been achieved except for some major changes being planned to come in to effect in six or seven years time".

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