APRIL 19, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
By Esther Lauaki Victoria’s Health Services Commissioner is investigating 38 complaints of alleged mismanagement of births at Bacchus Marsh Hospital. Five more complaints have also been made, but will not be pursued. The complaints have been lodged over the past six months following revelations up to seven babies who died at the hospital over a 15 year period may have done so due to medical error or negligence.
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This is a painful and complex situation … it will continue to be so for some time - John Ballard
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Dr Grant Davies, of the commissioner’s office, advised that 43 complaints related to events between 1990 and 2015, with 15 of these in 2013. Complaints raised issues relating to the management of both pregnancies and labour, he said. As reported by Star Weekly Weekly, a review by Professor Euan Wallace of baby deaths at the hospital going back to 2001 found five more cases of suspect deaths, bringing to 12 the number of babies who have died under circumstances that have yet to be made clear. That review was submitted to the health department last month and conciliation is now under way. Ministry-appointed administrator Dr John Ballard replaced the sacked board at Bacchus Marsh Hospital last October after an independent investigation into a cluster of baby deaths found some may have been avoided.
Last Friday, Dr Ballard refused to discuss details of the review but, in a memorandum, quashed any rumours of the hospital closing. “There is no question about the future of Bacchus Marsh and Melton Regional Hospital, located in a rapidly expanding part of Victoria,” he said. “In the six months since the health service was placed under administration, we have taken great steps at the hospital. “We all recognise there will continue to be a focus on what happened in the past. This is challenging for us all, but we cannot be distracted from the necessary and ongoing efforts to enhance the standards of care, safety and clinical governance at the hospital. “This is a painful and complex situation, and it will continue to be so for some time to come. All parties are being treated with the utmost sensitivity.” Obstetrics director Dr Nisha Khot and obstetrics and gynaecology specialist Dr Latika Cilly have taken up new positions. Dr Ballard said their recruitment was an important step in the transformation of Djerriwarrh Health Services. Health minister Jill Hennessy also refused to discuss Prof Wallace’s findings until all families involved had the full facts of their specific case. “Once this process is complete, and every woman has received the answers and certainty they deserve, I will make a full public statement.” An Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency spokeswoman confirmed it is investigating doctors, nurses and other practitioners at Bacchus Marsh after being provided medical records by Djerriwarrh. Help line: 1800 675 398
(Shawn Smits)
Hospital probe widens
MELTON RSL MEMBERS IAN LAWREY, JIM FITZGERALD AND GARY PATERSON
A call to remember Ian Lawrey has watched with pride as Melton’s Anzac Day commemorations grow larger each year. Thousands of people, young and old, now gather at Melton civic centre at the crack of dawn to commemorate Australians who served in war. “People come together to pay their respects,” Mr Lawrey says. “They remember what Australians have done for the freedoms we have today.” He says the dawn service will begin at 6am on Monday, April 25, at the civic centre, before a gunfire breakfast at Melton Country Club. The march will start at Alexander Street at 9am and end at the civic centre. Sumeyya Ilanbey