Queensland Hospital, which was at the center of two royal commissions investigating patient deaths, is being monitored again, this time for claims that mismanaged drugs put people at risk.
Key points:
- Bundaberg Hospital is infamous for the 2005 case of Dr. Jayant Patel
- One nurse was fired and three more workers were sanctioned following the latest claims
- Queensland Health says there is “no substantial evidence confirmed” that the death or damage was caused by the alleged mismanagement of the medication.
Queensland Health has launched an investigation into drug management and patient safety in two wards of Bundaberg Hospital following complaints from patient advocates.
One nurse has been fired and others have been sanctioned for two incidents that have questioned why, after multiple consultations and court cases, the problems persist.
“I think now it’s more of a culture, which is pretty rotten,” said Stephen Bennet, a member of Burnett’s LNP.
“After months of raising issues, we finally have recognition.
“All we have asked is for these issues to be resolved.”
Bennet says the health minister should report incidents at Bundaberg Hospital to Queensland police to investigate them. (ABC Wide Bay: Johanna Marie)
Bundaberg Hospital reached headlines in 2005 when allegations of malpractice by then-surgical director Jayant Patel revealed catastrophic management failures to prevent the death of patients.
In 2015, Dr Patel was banned from practicing medicine in Australia after pleading guilty to fraud in connection with his registration and employment in Australia.
Two years earlier, Dr. Patel had been acquitted in a new trial on a charge of manslaughter, and a jury was unable to reach a verdict on a charge of grievous bodily harm related to another patient, which resulted in that the director of the prosecution did not prosecute other criminals. charges.
The health service is investigating
The Queensland Health call follows an internal investigation by the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service that resulted in the dismissal of a nurse and the discipline of three more people for two separate incidents in which they were manipulated. bad drugs.
Acting CEO of Queensland Health, Shaun Drummond, said he had commissioned a clinical review and investigation of health services.
“Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has reviewed health system practices, streamlined processes, properly informed external authorities, and initiated disciplinary action when necessary,” he said.
“To date, there has been no substantial confirmed evidence of patient injury or death on these serious allegations.”
Drummond said an employee feedback line and an online staff submission form had been created.
“Any current or former employee with direct knowledge of any issues can raise them, anonymously if they wish,” he said.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’ath said she welcomed the review.
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Executive Director Debbie Carroll encouraged concerned staff to speak and said the service was committed to acting on the recommendations derived from the investigation.
Wide Bay Newsletter: Local news in your inbox
ABC Wide Bay will deliver a summary of the week’s news, stories and photos every Thursday. Register here.