Northern NSW Health respond to Dr Arkadi Bronstein tribunal decision

The leader of Northern NSW’s health service says changes have been made in the wake of professional misconduct by a doctor who worked at two hospitals in the region.

Health authorities have revealed that the doctor found guilty of unprofessional misconduct worked 19 shifts at Grafton Base Hospital and Maclean District Hospital.

A doctor found guilty of unprofessional misconduct worked 19 shifts at Grafton Base Hospital and Maclean District Hospital, NSW Health has revealed.

Northern NSW Local Health District chief executive Wayne Jones said Dr Arkadi Bronstein worked as a locum medical officer at the two Clarence Valley hospitals between May 7 and June 21, 2018.

“As soon as Northern NSW Local Health District became aware of two incidents involving Dr Bronstein’s clinical care of patients at Maclean District Hospital on the evening of June 21, 2018, he was not engaged for any further medical appointments within the district,” Mr Jones said.

Northern NSW Local Health District chief executive Wayne Jones.

Complaints about Dr Bronstein’s conduct on two occasions resulted in an Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing.

According to the Tribunal decision, one incident involved a 58-year-old quadriplegic man who presented to the hospital emergency department with respiratory failure, while another involved a 25-year-old pregnant woman suffering irregular heart function.

The 58-year-old man died later that night, however the tribunal stated that it was not suggested Dr Bronstein’s conduct resulted in the man’s death.

The tribunal heard from fellow doctors and nurses before finding Dr Bronstein’s actions constituted unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct.

Mr Jones said the health district conducted two separate internal investigations and provided updates to the patients and their families.

“The resulting recommendations included referring the incidents to the relevant regulatory authorities, and making system improvements.”

Mr Jones said they involved a review of credentialing processes and increased essential criteria for locum medical officers.

He said they also included the introduction of a clinical practice guideline for non-invasive ventilation, improvements to the reliability of the telehealth link, and reinforcing the ability of nurses to escalate concerns.

“Northern NSW Local Health District has acted on all of these recommendations,” Mr Jones said.