Reviews into three baby deaths over six weeks at Latrobe Regional Hospital

Three baby deaths have occurred in just six weeks at a hospital in regional Victoria, including one heartbreaking where an 18-month old girl was not given life saving antibiotics for hours.

Whistleblowers at the hospital in Traralgon have spoken about their fears.

Three baby deaths in just six weeks at a hospital in regional Victoria have raised alarm bells as whistleblowers warn the struggle to recruit qualified staff is putting lives at risk.

An 18-month old girl with sepsis did not receive lifesaving antibiotics in time, and two newborns who died are among the cases at Latrobe Regional Hospital that have caused concern.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, staff at the Traralgon hospital told the Herald Sun the toddler ­arrived at hospital before 2am on September 9, but with only a junior doctor on her condition was not identified and correctly treated.

They said a senior doctor ­arrived hours later and ­ordered the child to be transferred to a Melbourne hospital, where she later died.

The matter was reported to watchdog Safer Care Victoria. An internal review by the hospital found no fault with the care provided.

Whistleblowers told the Herald Sun that several staff involved were never interviewed for the review.

They also allege that units within the hospital, including obstetrics, are being run without qualified staff.

An internal review at Latrobe Regional Hospital found no fault. Picture: David Caird

Two newborns also died at the hospital in October.

One was reported as a sentinel event to SCV and is still under investigation.

A sentinel event is when adverse care may have occurred and the death or serious harm may have been preventable.

No details are known about the second newborn death in October, but the hospital said it would also be reviewed.

One hospital staff member told the Herald Sun they were concerned the three baby deaths would be “swept under the carpet” in internal reviews.

“There’s no real investigations being carried out into these deaths,” they said.

“The government needs to step in and fix this.”

A Latrobe hospital spokesman said: “In the past two months, three children who received care at ­Latrobe Regional Health have tragically passed away.

“LRH offers its sincere condolences to those affected by these deaths.

“Providing safe care is LRH’s priority, and we review patient deaths or adverse outcomes in close consultation with Safer Care Victoria.

“As with many regional health services, from time to time LRH faces challenges in attracting staff, however, we are working hard on recruitment and have been successful in onboarding a range of highly qualified practitioners, ­locally and from overseas.

“In particular, LRH currently has a full complement of specialist obstetricians and pediatricians.”

A SCV spokesman said: “Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts go to the families during this difficult time.”

A Health Department spokesman offered condolences and said it was working closely with SCV “to review any complaints, and to understand and share any improvements that can be made”.

Opposition spokeswoman Georgie Crozier called for an independent investigation.

“Under Labor, Victoria’s health system is in crisis, and when a series of deaths occur the extent of the crisis is further exposed,” she said.

“These are tragic circumstance that need a thorough independent investigation.”

In March 2019, a baby died in delivery at LRH. An internal review cleared medical staff of fault, but a coroner’s report identified ­unexplained head injuries as the cause of death.

In February, the Herald Sun revealed Latrobe Regional Hospital was offering to pay locum anaesthetists $7000 to $10,000 to fill shifts to keep its surgery program operating. This was more than double the normal pay rate Victoria-wide.

Staff at the time raised concerns about the treatment of seven patients, four of whom the watchdog ruled had ­received adverse care. The hospital was ordered to make changes.