The Queensland hospital that was at the centre of two royal commissions investigating the deaths of patients is again under scrutiny, this time for claims that mishandled medications put people at risk.
Queensland Health has launched an investigation into medication management and patient safety at two Bundaberg Hospital wards following allegations made by patient advocates.
A nurse has been sacked and others have been disciplined over two incidents that have some questioning why, after multiple inquiries and court cases, problems persist.
"I think it's more about a culture now, which is pretty rotten," LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennet said.
"After months of raising the issues we finally have acknowledgement.
Bundaberg Hospital hit the headlines in 2005 when allegations of malpractice by then-director of surgery Jayant Patel revealed catastrophic failures by management to prevent the deaths of patients.
In 2015, Dr Patel was barred from practising medicine in Australia after pleading guilty to fraud in relation to his registration and employment in Australia.
Two years earlier, Dr Patel was found not guilty in a retrial on a charge of manslaughter, and a jury could not reach a verdict on a charge of grievous bodily harm relating to another patient, prompting the Director of Public Prosecutions not to pursue other criminal charges.
Health service investigates
The call from Queensland Health follows an internal investigation conducted by Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service that resulted in a nurse being fired and three others disciplined over two separate incidents in which drugs were mishandled.
Queensland Health acting director-general Shaun Drummond said he had commissioned a clinical review and health service investigation.
"The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has reviewed the health system practices, streamlined processes, reported appropriately to external authorities and initiated disciplinary measures where necessary," he said.
Mr Drummond said a dedicated employee feedback line and online staff submission form had been set up.
"Any current or former employees with direct knowledge of any issues can raise them, anonymously if they wish," he said.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'ath said she welcomed the review.
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service chief executive Debbie Carroll encouraged staff with concerns to speak up and said the service was committed to acting on the recommendations to come from the investigation.
