COMPLAINTS against medical staff members have to be genuine, says Minister for Health Jone Usamate.

During a recent visit of the Nadi and Lautoka hospitals, he said necessary disciplinary action would be taken if complaints were found to be legitimate.

He said disciplinary measures had been taken for genuine complaints about medical staff.

“However, sometimes there is a measure of miscommunication.

“There was a case recently that came out on Facebook and after speaking to the staff concerned, I was informed that the patient had actually been seen by the same nurse who they were accusing of not looking after them.

“So sometimes it comes down to miscommunication although it does not happen all of the time.”

He said while those occurrences were not frequent, he still expected medical staff members to offer quality services.

“As the Minister for Health, I say that it is a requirement of every one who works in this ministry to deliver a good service.

“If a staff is at fault for not doing this, he or she will be dealt with.”