Patient bans from treatment facilities, distressing verbal treatment from a general practitioner and an alleged sexual assault during a massage were some of the complaints heard by the state's Health Complaints Commissioner over 2022-23.
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In all, the commissioner received 1178 complaints over the year, which was an 11-per-cent decrease from the unprecedented 1310 complaints received over 2021-22.
According to the commissioner's recent annual report:
- 492 complaints related to treatment;
- 174 were about access to treatment, such as long waits, remoteness of a service and access to subsidies;
- 153 regarded communication or information that was incorrect or conveyed with a poor manner or attitude;
- 127 were about medication;
- 47 related to fees and costs;
- and 36 were about professional conduct.
The most common treatment concerns were about delays in treatment, inadequate care and treatment, and unexpected treatment outcomes or complications.
Consistent with previous years, public hospitals were the subject of the next highest number of complaints closed over the past financial year.
One complainant told the commissioner she had been prevented access to a community health service after she had made negative comments on social media about that service.
The provider subsequently updated its social media policy and made patients sign a charter regarding behaviour on their social media platform.
One elderly patient complained about rude and distressing verbal treatment from his general practitioner and approached the commissioner to seek an apology.
The Medical Board of Australia imposed a caution on the GP's registration as a result of this complaint.
One woman alleged to the commissioner that she was sexually assaulted during a massage at a Northern Tasmanian clinic which left her traumatised.
The commissioner obtained permission from the complainant to refer the matter to Tasmania Police.
In another matter, a woman had received cool slimming treatment at a cosmetic business which had left her with extensive burns on her stomach.
The commissioner wrote that she was referred to a number of regulators for assistance but was also advised that there is no specific regulator overseeing this sort of service
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
