Bacchus Marsh Hospital’s administrator has assured the community that the hospital has been “transformed” in the past six months amid fresh revelations of there being more baby deaths than first reported.
An ABC report last week revealed that a review of a cluster of deaths at Bacchus Marsh Hospital had found seven more babies had died, dating back to 2003.
The review, by Professor Euan Wallace, followed an independent investigation last year by the state government into the maternity unit at Bacchus Marsh Hospital between 2013-14. The government’s review found that seven of 11 baby deaths at the hospital may have been avoided.
Professor Wallace’s review has yet to be officially released.
In response to the ABC report, Djerriwarrh Health Services administrator John Ballard, who was appointed last October after the hospital board was sacked, said Djerriwarrh Health offered the women involved and their families the “most profound and sincere apologies”.
“No matter how many times the stories of what happened to women in the care of Bacchus Marsh and Melton Regional Hospital are repeated, the personal tragedy cannot be diminished,” he said.
“Djerriwarrh Health Services has transformed in six months and will continue to evolve to better meet the needs of its rapidly growing and diversifying community.
“It is entirely understandable that women and families will have concerns. I urge them to discuss any issues with their specialist obstetrician, midwives or general practitioner to ensure they are confident they will receive the best possible care.”
Slater and Gordon, the law firm representing several of the families involved in baby deaths at the hospital, said two families had recently received compensation payouts from the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority.
Medical negligence lawyer Anne Shortall said investigations into Bacchus Marsh Hospital should to be widened.
“No family should be left wondering why their baby died or why they were born with a disability,” she said.
“The families … deserve answers and the Victorian community needs to be reassured that this won’t happen again.”
