Sarah Oliver
Former director of obstetrics and gynaecology at Bacchus Marsh Hospital, Dr Surinder Parhar, has been disqualified for 12 years after an investigation into a tragic cluster of newborn and stillborn deaths at the hospital.
The doctor had nine findings of professional misconduct made against him by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
He has not practised medicine since October, 2015.
The Medical Board of Australia, which referred the incidents to the tribunal, said in a statement “the outcome is a reminder that practitioners must understand and act on their obligations and duty of care to ensure all patients are safe”.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) investigated 43 registered practitioners who worked at Bacchus Marsh Hospital during the time of these deaths.
Following that investigation, Dr Parhar was referred to the VCAT in January, 2019, by the Medical Board of Australia.
The nine allegations brought against Dr Parhar included failure to ensure there were adequate clinical reviews of 19 perinatal deaths, failure to ensure adequate open disclosure with patients in relation to 15 perinatal deaths, failure to ensure necessary policies were in place to improve patient safety, inadequate supervision of three junior doctors, failure to improve or maintain his own professional performance, record-keeping deficiencies and deficiencies in his direct clinical care of one patient.
Dr Parhar admitted to each allegation and acknowledged each allegation constituted professional misconduct.
The tribunal substantiated all nine allegations, finding that Dr Parhar had engaged in professional misconduct in each case.
In a statement, the tribunal said the allegations “constituted repeated professional failings in almost every aspect of Dr Parhar’s role and his responsibilities.”
Board chair, Dr Anne Tonkin, said “this was a tragic situation.”
“While we recognise this decision may be of little comfort for the families who so sadly lost their babies, it highlights the importance of registered medical practitioners, especially those in senior positions, understanding and acting on their responsibilities to ensure safe patient care.”
Ahpra chief executive Martin Fletcher said: “This is a strong outcome in response to such tragic and sad events”.
