LGHs deaths cover-up inquire to examine 63 more cases

An inquiry into the cover-up of deaths at Launceston General Hospital will examine an additional 63 cases, the Health Department revealed on Tuesday.

Launceston General Hospital. Picture: Amber Wilson

An inquiry into the cover-up of deaths at Launceston General Hospital will examine an additional 63 cases, the Health Department revealed on Tuesday.

Adjunct Professor Deb Picone is conducting an independent Review of Reportable Deaths and Death Reporting Processes following whistleblower claims patients deaths at the state’s second-biggest hospital were not reported to the Coroner as required by law.

The Department established the review in February to investigate allegations the hospital’s former Director of Clinical Services Peter Renshaw failed to report death at the hospital as required under the Coroner’s Act.

Dr Renshaw came under adverse notice from the Commission of Inquiry for misleading his superiors about information relating to prolific pedophile and LGH nurse James Geoffrey Griffin — and for misleading the Commission itself.

Peter Renshaw, the executive director of medical services at Launceston General Hospital, gives evidence to Tasmania's child sexual abuse commission of inquiry.

He has since retired. He has not been charged with criminal misconduct.

In February, Launceston General Hospital nurse Amanda Duncan told a parliamentary committee Dr Renshaw routinely falsified death certificates and failed to report deaths to the coroner as required by law.

A letter from Adjunct Professor Picone released by the Department of Health on Tuesday revealed the inquiry had uncovered multiple deviations from usual practise of the treating doctor completing death certificates.

“A former LGH staff member who was employed as a senior specialist medical practitioner completed or edited the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) on multiple occasions,” she wrote.

“The Panel determined that there are few instances when an Executive Director of Medical Services (EDMS) would be required to complete the MCCD …”.

“Given that this Panel has uncovered irregular practices by the former staff member,

specifically the certification and/or alteration of MCCD without attending to the patient prior

to or after death or accurately documenting alleged conversations with the Coroner’s office,

the Panel will now undertake a comprehensive review of further MCCD certified by the

former staff member.”

Six of 21 cases already examined have been referred to the Coroner.

Acting Secretary, Department of Health Dale Webster confirmed the inquiry was looking at another five dozen-plus cases.

“While the panel has advised that they have not observed any practices or evidence that there is a systemic issue, all of these cases were originally assessed by a single former staff member, who is no longer employed by the Department of Health,” he said in a statement.

“The Panel will now examine an additional 63 matters to date that were originally assessed by the single former staff member.”