ABN 78 007 828 819 The Border Watch Pty Ltd

81 Commercial Street East, PO Box 309, Mount Gambier SA 5290

5 December 2008

Mr Grant King
Chairman
Mount Gambier Health Advisory Council
c/- Mount Gambier Hospital
PO Box 267
MOUNT GAMBIER 5290

Dear Grant,

I write to formally request that all meetings of the Mount Gambier Health Advisory Council be
fully open to the public.

I understand the group’s meeting on Thursday, December 11 will discuss meeting procedures.

While the government’s stated intention to engage with communities is commendable, the integrity
of the process will be undermined if HAC meetings are held behind closed doors.

As the HAC will not be dealing with commercial matters there appears no logical reason why
meetings should be closed, even partially.

I have previously worked as Executive Officer for community health advisory groups in Victoria
(Alpine Health, Myrtleford). Meetings were always fully open to the public. If members wished to
raise individual patient matters or complaints about staff they were requested to provide names and
dates in writing to the director of nursing. This was noted in the minutes of meetings, but personal
details were not disclosed in public.

The Border Watch looks forward to reporting HAC meetings if we are allowed to attend. This will
assist the consultation process and should enhance the effectiveness of the HAC.

Yours sincerely,

MICHAEL GOREY
Editor

Telephone (08) 8724 1515 Fax (08) 8725 8431 Email editor@borderwatch.com.au

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