Statement on Bacchus Marsh Hospital

09 Jun 2016

The statement yesterday by Victorian Health Minister, The Hon Jill Hennessy MP, on the review of stillborn and newborn deaths at Djerriwarrh Health Services going back to 2001 underlines the importance of AHPRA’s investigations into individual health practitioners.

‘First and foremost our thoughts are with the families affected by these tragic circumstances’, AHPRA CEO Mr Martin Fletcher said.

AHPRA has previously confirmed that it is investigating a number of registered health practitioners who practised at Bacchus Marsh Hospital and other matters it has received. The agency is ready to receive any other information or matters that may be relevant.

AHPRA CEO Mr Martin Fletcher said the agency’s investigations into individual health practitioners are on track and remain a priority.

‘As regulators, our job is to make sure that any ongoing risk to the public posed by individual practitioners has been addressed so patients are safe’, said Mr Fletcher.

‘Conducting thorough investigations into these matters is our top priority. While it is important that we move as quickly as possible, we must carefully review each of the individual health records to identify the individuals who provided care, and establish what happened and what should have happened in each case. We have sought expert clinical advice to help analyse this information,’ said Mr Fletcher.

At this time, AHPRA can’t provide more detail about its ongoing investigations. By law, individuals who are under investigation cannot be identified publicly.

‘While we can’t speak publicly about these matters, we are regularly updating the notifiers, practitioners and Djerriwarrh Health Service on the progress of our investigations’, said Mr Fletcher.

Mandatory notifications help keep patients safe

AHPRA also reminds registered health practitioners and their employers of their mandatory notification obligations.

‘The only way we can ensure patients are protected is if we work together; individual practitioners and health services with the Health Services Commissioner, Boards and AHPRA’, Mr Fletcher said.

In Victoria, registered health practitioners and their employers are legally obliged to advise AHPRA or a National Board if they have formed a reasonable belief that a health practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes notifiable conduct in relation to the practice of their profession.

Anyone with concerns about the care they or a loved one has received from a registered health practitioner, or if someone does not appear on the register of practitioners when they say they are registered, can contact AHPRA.

For more information

• Lodge an online enquiry form 
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 03 9275 9009 (overseas callers) 
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200

Download a PDF of this Media release - Statement on Bacchus Marsh Hospital - 9 June 2016 (207 KB,PDF)