Chemo victim Andrew Knox tells inquest medics didn’t do their job and they must be held to account

ONE of the 10 cancer patients underdosed with chemotherapy is angry that the State Government isn’t seeking action against doctors “who didn’t know their jobs”.

• May 2018: Chemotherapy underdosing inquest must continue: Crown
• May 2018: Chemo doc dumps bid to halt underdosing inquest
• Feb 2017: Fourth victim died during the course of the inquest
• May 2017: SA Health haematologists stood down
• Nov 2017: Inquest opens detailing how chemo bungle happened
• June 2015: How The Advertiser first broke this tragic story

ONE of the 10 cancer patients underdosed with chemotherapy is angry that the State Government isn’t seeking action against doctors “who didn’t know their jobs”.

An inquest heard the response of doctors to the chemotherapy underdosing was inadequate, but the government has not recommended findings be made against the doctors involved.

The final day of the inquest into the underdosing bungle heard that several failings related to the dosing errors have been rectified through extra training.

Deputy Coroner Anthony Schapel.

Underdosed chemo patient Andrew Knox

Since mid-2016, Deputy State Coroner Anthony Schapel has been looking into the deaths of leukaemia patients Christopher McRae, Bronte Higham, Carol Bairnsfather and Johanna Pinxteren.

All four were among 10 who were underdosed during their treatment at the RAH or Flinders Medical Centre between July 2014 and January 2015.

Andrew Knox, one of the other underdosed patients, said he was angry at the doctors’ lack of accountability.

“The Crown didn’t ask for any action against doctors who basically looked after themselves the entire time, including trying to shut this hearing down,” he said outside the hearing.

“We were treated by people who didn’t know their jobs, they didn’t act quickly enough.”

Mr Schapel will deliver his findings on a date to be set.