The death of seven babies at Bacchus Marsh and Melton Regional Hospital could have been avoided in what has been described as a “catastrophic event”.
The entire board of the Djerriwarrh Health Service, as well as the head of obstetrics, have been sacked amid a major investigation into a doctor linked to the infant deaths.
Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy announced on Friday that the hospital’s “key failings” were identified in the care provided to babies in 2013 and 2014.
Five babies died in 2013, and two in 2014.
The Victorian Health Department was not informed of the investigation.
‘Catastrophic failures’
State Health Minister Jill Hennessy described the deaths as “a series of catastrophic failures” that may have contributed to the deaths the babies.
Most babies who died at the hospital didn’t have their heart rates adequately monitored, according to the investigation’s findings.
In an emotional press conference, the Health Minister acknowledged that the pain and anguish of the families would be reignited by the new investigation.
“Nothing can change the past, but without this information there is no way to stop this tragedy from happening to others,” Ms Hennessy said.
A review of obstetric practices across Victoria is now under way.
It is believed that one of the errors was in monitoring fetal heart rates during births.
Lawsuit
Law firm Maurice Blackburn have confirmed on radio station 3AW that they have been contacted by two families over the deaths of their babies at the hospital.
The law firm is representing the family of a baby born at the hospital in 2013, who suffered a hypoxic brain injury during birth and was left with brain damage.
A spokeswoman for the firm said: “What we’re concerned about is this is just the tip of the iceberg. The families have been telling us that they’ve been told there are other families [affected].”
It’s understood Maurice Blackburn will hold a press conference later today.
Concerns raised
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said concerns about a lack of staff, policies and equipment at Djerriwarrh’s maternity services were raised with the Health Department in 2014.
“Some midwives, and possibly doctors, had raised concerns with management and left the service in frustration when their concerns weren’t addressed,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.
“We know that there were an increased number of births at the service and this was not proportionately matched by increased staff or infrastructure.”
