Action from Independent Review of hospital reporting processes

The Department of Health will refer six deaths that occurred at the Launceston General Hospital to the Coroner for consideration following advice from the Independent Review - Reportable Deaths and Death Reporting Processes.

The Department established an independent panel to investigate allegations of a failure to report some deaths occurring in Tasmania’s public hospitals to the Coroner.

The independent panel - led by Adjunct Professor Deb Picone AO - has undertaken a significant amount of work and the Department thanks them for their work to date.

The panel has informed the Department of Health that they have not observed any practices or evidence that indicate there is a systemic issue.

The Panel Chair has commended staff on the high standard of care provided and quality of documentation observed through the file and case reviews.

The panel has identified six deaths which it recommends should now be referred for consideration by the Coroner.

All of these cases were originally assessed by a single staff member, who is no longer employed by the Department of Health.

The Department is now following the standard process for that referral which includes contacting the families and providing them the information and support they need.

As a result, the independent panel will now examine further cases that the identified staff member was involved in.

We are committed to supporting any families and individuals who may be affected by this process. If you have concerns, you can contact the Department of Health in the following ways, with all information treated very seriously and properly investigated. All contact made will be followed up as a priority.

• Through the Department of Health website at Reporting Concerns of Inappropriate Behaviour Form (health.tas.gov.au), either anonymously or with your details. This information comes directly to the Department of Health’s Office of the Secretary and is confidentially recorded for review.
• Via phone during business hours by calling 1800 671 738 and selecting option 3.