We've had the spin doctors of SSWAHS working hard recently to disinform the revolting residents of the Southern Highlands. But the fine art of the SSWAHS media unit staff has been in evidence for a much longer time.
Allow me to demonstrate. This is a letter from the CEO of SSWAHS to a local resident who had raised some concerns related to senior administrators in SSWAHS.
"Dear .....,
RE:Complaints about Sydney South West Area Health Service Employees
I refer to your correspondence to me dated 16 November 2009 concerning a complaint about Ms .... ....., dated 16 November 2009 concerning a complaint about Dr .... ......, dated 16 November 2009 concerning a complaint about Mr ... ......
The contents of your correspondence have been noted.
I am advised that Mr Graeme Slade, Designated Senior Complaints Officer Sydney South West Area Health Service sent letters to you on 18 November 2009 and 19 November 2009 advising that your complaints were being investigated and that you would be provided with a written response upon the completion of the investigation.
If you have any questions in relation to this matter please contact Graeme Slade on 9828 5958.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Wallace
Chief Executive
23/12/09"
Reassured that Mr Graeme Slade would be diligently investigating the complaints the recipient of the letter waited ... and waited .... and waited and as of today Socrates has been advised that no written response has been forthcoming, nor has Mr Slade even bothered to contact the complainant about any aspect of those complaints made in November 2009! Perhaps Mr Slade has died, or perhaps he and Mr Wallace think that the complainant has died! That seems to be the preferred option of SSWAHS in dealing with complaints. Outlast the complainants.
It reminds me of the movie "Oh! What a Lovely War" where the British generals kept a tally of the dead and wounded and considered that they were winning because they had less casualties than the Germans.
Sorry to tell you this Mr Wallace - but your complainant is still alive ..... and waiting!
