Botched surgeries confirmed 1:04
4BC’s Patrick Condren talks to Central Queensland Health and Hospital Board chair Charles Ware about the botched surgery cases at Rockhampton Hospital. Courtesy: 4BC Mornings with Patrick Condren
- Courier Mail
- 06 May 2014
- News/QLD
MORE than 21 internal investigations into patient deaths, injury and stillborns have been launched at Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service in the past 18 months.
While the spotlight has remained firmly on urologist Antonio Vega Vega, who is accused of removing the wrong kidney from a disabled patient at Rockhampton Hospital, The Sunday Mail can reveal deeper concerns about the health service’s performance involving other doctors.
Since January, there has been more than one SAC 1 incident a month – the most serious level –
Dr Antonio Vega Vega is accused of removing the wrong kidney from a patient. Picture: Supplied Source: News Corp Australia
at the health service which includes Rockhampton, Gladstone, Emerald, Biloela and Moura hospitals.
UNHEALTHY: Series of botched ops at Rocky hospital
MISTAKE: Surgeon stood down after removing wrong kidney
The incidents all sparked a root cause analysis, a multidisciplinary investigation that reviews the health care offered and makes recommendations on how to stop more mistakes.
Health Service chief executive Len Richards revealed some probes from last year had yet to be finalised.
“The types of cases (in the past 18 months) relate to incorrect medications ordered, stillbirths, deaths following a fall, suicides of mental health patients in the community, infections, blood clots, failure to follow up results and wrong-site surgery,” Mr Richards said.
“It is important to note not all SAC 1 incidents are preventable or are the result of inadequate patient care.”
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg defended the service, saying improvements had been made. “The hospital and health service was appointed in July 2012 and since then it has been vigilant in looking after the interests of its patients,’’ Mr Springborg said.
Maurice Blackburn medical negligence lawyer Sarah Atkinson said the law firm fielded numerous inquiries from local patients.
The investigation revelations come as the Australian Medical Board allows Dr Vega Vega to practice under low-level supervision.
The Spanish-trained urologist was suspended on May 9, but the board lifted the suspension after he gave an undertaking not to practice.
Dr Vega Vega later asked to withdraw that undertaking, but the board refused.
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal will tomorrow review the case against Dr Vega Vega, who is under investigation for five cases including allegations he removed the wrong kidney from a spina bifida patient and misdiagnosed another patient’s twisted testicle, which later had to be removed.
Other allegations relate to a patient whose artery was nicked and a registrar, who under Dr Vega Vega’s supervision, allegedly incorrectly positioned a stent in another. Two expert urologists’ reports and four testimonials by Rockhampton doctors have been filed in support of Dr Vega Vega.