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.
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, 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.”
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.
Help line: 1800 675 398.
