Stephen Bennett calls for external, independent review into Bundaberg Hospital

A Queensland politician claims unanswered allegations following patient deaths at the Bundaberg Hospital need to be investigated and the local health service has hit back.

The Member for Burnett has called for an external review into the Bundaberg Hospital.

A Bundaberg politician has called for a full external and independent investigation into the Bundaberg Hospital following claims serious allegations of patient deaths and harm have gone unanswered.

Speaking during a debate on the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill on March 7, The LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett discussed the “unresolved issues” in medical wards two and three of the Bundaberg Hospital.

He said serious concerns were raised by whistleblowers in 2021 that launched an investigation into the hospital and the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service regarding the storage of dementia patient medication on the wards.

Following the whistleblowers coming forward with claims the incorrect administration of medication had led to the death of an elderly patient in the hospital, an investigation was launched in 2022.

In December of that same year, the health service was cleared of the allegations, and 39 recommendations were made in relation to reporting and internal culture.

Despite the results, Mr Bennett claimed he had a number of concerns with the investigation and the review.

“What we do know is that the previous investigation did not review every patient on the ward,” he said.

He claimed the report deliberately distorted the findings of the investigation through the interview process, with contrasting results across the report.

“Seventy-three per cent of ward two and 61 per cent of ward three staff said they did not feel confident about speaking up,” he said.

“This is two-thirds of nursing teams.”

LNP Burnett MP Stephen Bennett claimed the internal investigation into patient harm allegations were not substantial.

“Eight of ten who were interviewed felt confident, this showed report of the number of people who were interviewed deliberately to distort the findings.”

He further claimed investigations into charts were not up to standard, and staff inside the hospital also raised concerns which went unrecognised.

“Only 18 charts were reviewed,” he said.

“Staff reported making calls to the investigation line but were never called back.”

Mr Bennett further claimed right to information requests submitted in relation to internal hospital practices had been redacted or rejected.

“The Queensland Health system is sick, and we need to ensure both patients and staff have the resources, support, and respect they deserve,” he said.

The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service addressed the claims made by Mr Bennett and said no evidence of his claims were found, though urged anyone with evidence to go directly to the relevant authorities.

“A comprehensive, independent investigation in 2022 reviewed all cases that were raised and did not find any evidence of patient harm or death,” a spokeswoman said.

According to the WBHHS, all recommendations from the review have been implemented, and that all right to information requests were approved.