Hampton Park Women’s Health Clinic closed on Thursday amid fears of ‘risk to patients’

A women’s clinic banned by health authorities from performing surgeries amid fears it presents a “risk to patients”, claims it is being used as a scapegoat for the tragic death of a mum of two.

The Health Department will not say what the serious concerns or alleged patient safety risks at the clinic are, that led to it closing Thursday.

A women’s health clinic has been banned from conducting surgeries amid ongoing investigations by the health department, watchdog Safer Care Victoria and the Coroner.

Hampton Park Women’s Health Clinic was closed on Thursday after the Department of Health identified “serious concerns” that pose a “risk to patients” during a regulatory inspection last month.

But its director Dr Michelle Kenney has slammed the closure as unjustified and claimed the department was looking for a scapegoat to blame for the tragic death of mum-of-two Harjit Kaur.

Ms Kaur died while in recovery at the clinic after undergoing a minor surgery and her death is under investigation by the Coroner.

The Herald Sun understands the clinic was closed because of concerns unearthed by regulators during the inspection on February 8, as opposed to the coronial investigation.

A follow up inspection on February 21 found ongoing concerns with further evidence and documents collected, the Department said.

A Department of Health spokeswoman would not provide details on what the serious concerns or alleged patient safety risks were.

The clinic has been banned from surgeries.

It’s understood it was s closed because of concerns unearthed by regulators.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the patient amid ongoing investigations by the department, Safer Care Victoria and the Coroner,” she said.

“After carrying out regulatory inspections, we have suspended Hampton Park Women’s Clinic’s registration as a day procedure centre finding it was operating in a manner that poses serious risks to patient health or safety.”

The clinic’s registration as a day procedure centre has been suspended which means it can’t provide surgical or specialty services such as anaesthesia and pediatric services.

But the suspension does not apply to general practice services.

An AHPRA spokesman said they could not comment on individual practitioners, “or any investigations being undertaken in relation to an individual practitioner”.

“We are aware that a matter involving practitioners from the Hampton Park Women’s Clinic is before the Victorian Coroner,” he said.

Dr Kenney said Ms Kaur’s death was not linked to the surgery and accused the department of lying in its report to shut them down.

“We were set up to fail and they know it,” she said.

She claimed “most” clinics would not pass new standards, which she said “were a big leap” from previous standards.

“Only 18 months ago, the Department of Health inspected us with the former administration, and our facility passed inspection,” she said.

“Since returning to the clinic, I have noted an administrative deficit and worked tirelessly to rectify shortcomings.

“However, these administrative deficits do not equal a lesser standard of quality healthcare.”

She said the closure was a “knee-jerk reaction” that will deny women access to healthcare.

The Department of Health said it has been working with nearby health services “to ensure there will be as little disruption as possible to patient care”.

The Coroner’s Court said the investigation into the death of Harjit Kaur is ongoing.

“The Coroner has not made findings regarding the circumstances of the death,” a spokeswoman said.

“As this is an active investigation, no further comment can be made.”