Latrobe Regional Health in Traralgon probed over ‘avoidable’ death claims

Insiders say preventable deaths and morbidity cases at a major Victorian hospital could have been avoided as they slam the health service as a “disaster” and “the worst place” they’ve worked.

At least seven patients since 2022 have died in tragedies whistleblowers say could have been avoided at a major Victorian hospital.

The Herald Sun can reveal the state’s health investigator has probed several cases at ­Latrobe Regional Health, but its findings were kept secret.

In a case reported to Safer Care Victoria last year, a patient with a ruptured appendix was not operated on for a full 24 hours after presenting at the emergency department.

Another died at the facility having never being seen by the on-call doctor, which staff believed contributed to their death.

Latrobe Regional Health is being investigated by Safer Care Victoria. Picture: David Caird

The cases were so concerning that SCV chief executive Michael Roberts flagged them with Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas’s office and Health Department secretary Euan Wallace.

But Professor Wallace did not raise the concerns when he appeared at a subsequent parliamentary inquiry, a document released under Freedom of Information reveals.

Health whistleblowers have claimed there are major issues in the hospital’s surgical unit in Traralgon.

A clinician labelled the hospital “the worst” they had ever worked at.

There were also allegations of medical negligence, inadequate treatment and misdiagnoses within the regional hospital’s surgical unit during 2022 and 2023.

In June 2023, SCV was probing at least seven patient cases, including allegedly preventable deaths and serious medical mistreatment, at one time.

Four of these cases were later classified as adverse events, with SCV ordering the hospital to make changes.

Its final report was never publicly released.

Medical sources allege more troubling cases, including deaths, have occurred since the original report was made to SCV in June. They told the Herald Sun there were ongoing “grave concerns” about the standard of care being provided at the hospital, pointing to understaffing, staff being asked to carry out duties for which they were unqualified, and a culture of secrecy.

A clinician, who asked to ­remain anonymous because they feared losing their job, added that it was the “worst” facility they had ever worked in and claimed the hospital was regularly under investigation by SCV.

SCV chief executive Michael Roberts flagged the cases with Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas’s office. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“It’s running on skeleton staff,” they said.

“They spend tens of millions on new theatres and there’s no one to staff them.

“Of all the places I’ve worked, it’s by far the worst place I’ve worked in terms of management and safety. It’s a disaster. Safer Care Victoria is always looking into them.”

In February, the Herald Sun revealed the hospital was having issues hiring qualified staff, and it was so desperate for specialist anaesthetists that management was offering an incredible $10,000 a day to fill shifts to keep its surgery program operating.

Another clinician familiar with the hospital’s operations also alleged that unqualified practitioners were putting ­patients under anaesthesia for emergency C-sections and laparoscopic surgeries.

When asked about the allegations, a Safer Care Victoria spokesman confirmed the ­organisation had “finalised an investigation into a complaint, and continues to work closely with Latrobe Regional Health on areas of improvement identified”.

Professor Euan Wallace did not raise the concerns about the cases when he appeared at a parliamentary inquiry.

“This includes reviewing perioperative services and building on its work to ­improve quality and safety, culture and staffing models,” he said.

Asked about the deaths, a Latrobe Regional Health spokesman said: “An extensive review and a site visit by Safer Care Victoria identified the opportunity for quality and safety improvements in our perioperative (surgical) program”.

“We continue to look for ways to enhance and strengthen our services and systems right across our ­organisation, and welcome the recommendations made, many of which were already under way.”

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier says avoidable deaths are being swept under the carpet. Picture: Josie Hayden

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said avoidable deaths and serious adverse health incidents were being swept under the carpet and called for more thorough investigation.

“These shocking revelations demonstrate the extent to which Labor will go to cover up failures within the health system which have resulted in multiple preventable deaths,” she said.

“The Minister for Health must answer why this cover-up took place, how such fundamental failures of care have occurred, and why the minister kept this scandal secret.”

A state government spokesman said SCV had been established in 2017 to deal with these kinds of reports and “put patient safety first”.

“Every death is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with the families affected,” they said.