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Health hits back over
favouritism charge
Queensland Health has defended itself against allegations of favouritism in awarding the contract for its medical records system.
The agency was accused of bias towards IT supplier Cerner Corporation when media reports emerged of senior staff talking with the software company more than a year before consultants were hired to investigate and advise on potential suppliers.
Chief Information Officer with Queensland Health, Ray Brown admitted that negotiations with Cerner were conducted under a ‘closed request for proposal’ because Cerner’s was the only integrated Electronic Medical Record product in use in Australia on a scale that would meet Queensland’s requirements.
“It is the product in use in NSW and Victoria, so it makes sense for Queensland to use it given we are moving towards a nationally compatible patient record system,” Mr Brown said.
“Any suggestion of favouritism is ridiculous and is clearly rebutted by the numerous independent reports – including independent reports signing off on governance and probity that confirm the appropriateness of the approach taken.”
He said there was wide support for the approach in consultation on the Cerner software with senior clinical and managerial staff, the clinical senate, the Clinical Informatics Steering Committee (which includes General Practice) and relevant health unions.
“Broad consultation and independent reviews were undertaken to confirm that the approach being followed was the right one, that it was appropriate, and in the State’s interest,” Mr Brown said.
Edition 201, 26 January 2012
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