Patient advocate Beryl Crosby comes forward with stunning Bundaberg Hospital claims

An MP has expressed ‘shock and distress’ over a letter sent by a Patel-era patient advocate to Queensland’s Health Minister outlining fresh claims of deadly risks at Bundaberg’s public hospital.

Shadow health spokeswoman Ros Bates has called for an independent review of Bundaberg Hospital following stunning claims made by patient advocate Beryl Crosby.

“Queenslanders deserve a world-class health system wherever they live, particularly in Bundaberg and Bundaberg has a history that does not need to be repeated,” Ms Bates said.

“There have been some serious allegations raised about medical malpractice at the Bundaberg Hospital and yesterday when the health minister had the opportunity to rule that out, she failed to do so.

“Bundaberg people need to know that they are safe in their hospital and the minister needs to come clean about what she knew, when she knew and what she's going to do about it.”

Burnett MP Stephen Bennett spoke once again on the issue, saying reports he’d heard of dementia patients being given Endone were harrowing.

“We just want to make sure that the actions of these nurses at the base hospital are disclosed to the families involved,” he said.

Mr Bennett called for a full, open investigation.

On Tuesday, Mr Bennett raised the claims in Parliament.

He alleged that, according to a “tell-all” letter penned by patient advocate Beryl Crosby, patients’ lives were being put at risk.

“The letter alleges patient deaths have been covered up, with nurses told not to report to the police,” Mr Bennett said.

“It’s alleged large doses of Endone were administered to dementia patients so that ‘nurses would have an easier shift if the patients were kept sedated’,” he said.

“More allegations reveal a review was commissioned into ‘drug management on medical ward level 3’, but the findings have so far been buried.”

Mr Bennett said he was shocked by the letter and said Ms Crosby, who was a patient advocate in the Patel era, had been “very brave”.

“It alleges negligence of the highest degree, terror felt by staff who are told to keep their mouth shut, and complicity from hospital executives,” he said.

Bundaberg patient advocate Beryl Crosby. Photo Paul Beutel

“Ms Crosby describes the grief one family is feeling after a man with dementia was given (a prescribed drug) at the base hospital.

“His health declined dramatically, and he later passed away.

“I cannot begin to imagine how his family must be feeling today. All I can say is how sorry I am for their loss.”

Mr Bennett asked Health Minister Yvette D’Ath if she was aware of any similar cases.

“I refer to reports a nurse at Bundaberg Hospital medicated a person without a clinical need and ask. Is the minister aware of any similar instances at this hospital?,” he asked without notice in Parliament on Tuesday.

Ms D’Ath replied: “I thank the member for his question”.

“I am aware of the allegations and the incident. I understand that it has been reviewed at the HHS level but is currently also being reviewed by Clinical Excellence Queensland. I will await the findings of that.

“It is a serious issue, absolutely. Certainly, we would expect as would the public that it be properly investigated.

“I am aware that the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service recently conducted an internal review into the concerns regarding the provision of an incorrect dose of Olanzapine and determined that appropriate practice had not been undertaken.

“The nurse involved is no longer able to administer medications. The internal review indicated that there was no patient harm in relation to this incident. As I say, I believe that Clinical Excellence Queensland is also looking at the matter.”

Burnett MP Stephen Bennett says he is disturbed by claims made in a letter by patient advocate Beryl Crosby.

Ms Crosby spoke to the Bundaberg NewsMail, saying she held grave concerns over what she believes is a shocking situation at the hospital.

“I’ve been sick for weeks trying to get this raised,” she said.

“The minister assured me that these all would be taken seriously.”

Ms Crosby said she had been told that Acting Director General Sean Drummond would investigate the case.

She is calling for an external review.

“Queensland Health investigating Queensland Health does not give public confidence that this will be done thoroughly,” Ms Crosby said.

She said she fears that patients could be harmed or die.

Claims have been made that patients have been kept on drugs to keep them calm during nurses’ shifts.

The NewsMail understands an internal review of that incident revealed that appropriate action had not been taken by Ms Williams.

Both the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service and Queensland Health have been contacted for comment.