Lawyer calls for inquiry into Royal Adelaide Hospital chemotherapy bungle

A LAWYER who acted for one of the chemotherapy bungle patients today called for an independent inquiry into events at the RAH leading to the underdosing.

The Royal Adelaide Hospital, which is at the centre of the chemo bungle.

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A LAWYER who acted for one of the chemotherapy bungle patients today called for an independent inquiry into events at the RAH leading to the underdosing.

Graham Harbord, managing director of Johnston Withers which represented one of the patients in compensation negotiations, said patients suffering from cancer — in this case acute myeloid leukaemia — were particularly vulnerable to a medical mistake.

“They place their lives in the hands of their doctors and the hospital,” Mr Harbord said.

He said an independent inquiry would lead to safeguards for future chemotherapy treatment.

He also called for a “fair and expeditious” procedure for negotiating compensation settlements which at present can force patients to take a low offer to avoid a trial.

“Usually a trial will not take place within 12 months of formulating a claim, but which time the victim may have died of his or her condition,” he said. “In that case, the compensation would be minimal.”

His call follows The Advertiser’s revelation today that the State Government’s insurers have caved in and agreed to meet the legal costs of chemotherapy bungle victim Chris McRae, who fought the Royal Adelaide Hospital for compensation before dying last November.

A family spokeswoman said she rang Government insurer SAICORP to accept a government compensation offer of $82,000 for the underdosing scandal – cut from $100,000 to take account of a settlement with the RAH – but the family wanted its legal fees paid.

The state penny-pinching was revealed in The Advertiser on Wednesday, prompting the offer to meet legal fees.