Member for Bundaberg Nita Cunningham has defended her role in the events surrounding Doctor Jayant Patal and the city’s public hospital.

Mrs Cunningham told the News-Mail yesterday she “knew nothing” of the problems going on at Bundaberg Base Hospital.

“If I knew anything about what was going on, my office would have sent the information straight to the Minister (Health Minister Gordon Nuttall),” she said.

Mrs Cunningham was this week attacked at a public meeting, organised by Brisbane law firm Carter Capner Lawyers, for throwing blame on the federal government for the current crisis.

Her comments were made about the lack of Australian-trained doctors and a need for the federal government to urgently address this.

Member for Hinkler Paul Neville said he was angry about the statement because the problems surrounding Dr Patel were about “inadequate screening” of overseas doctors, not the federal government.

“The federal government has concentrated on increasing the number of doctors in Australia – particularly in country areas and this is starting to bear fruit,” he said.

But Mrs Cunningham has pushed ahead with the issue and set up a petition for people to register their support for the number of Australian doctors to be increased by federal government initiatives, at her Barolin Street office.