Source: The Independent Weekly (www.independentweekly.com.au)
Author: staff

Seven cancer patients may have suffered due to errors with their treatment at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, a review has found. Tabling the details in the South Australian parliament today, Health Minister John Hill said the impact on the individuals concerned was considered small but real.

“The consulting oncologist will be contacting these patients to ensure they continue to have ongoing checks on their future health, though the patients will not require additional treatment,” Mr Hill said.

Earlier this year it was revealed more than 800 patients received incorrect radiation treatments at the RAH after one of its four linear accelerators was found to be delivering a dose five per cent below the recommended level between 2004 and 2006.

The government ordered a review of all treatments on the machine during that period, bringing in a cancer expert from interstate. That review found most of the patients concerned had not been affected by the error. But it found there was the possibility of a reduced survival rate for five patients suffering from high-grade brain tumours.

It also revealed a head and neck cancer patient had their care compromised by two per cent and required future monitoring and ordered future monitoring for a prostate cancer patient who received radiotherapy as the only treatment for the condition.

SA Health chief executive Tony Sherbon said that while the review found the majority of patients did not have their treatments compromised, some would suffer psychological distress.

“Some patients will certainly need psychological support because of the shock of learning of the under-dosing in the first instance and the hospital will provide the support needed in the coming weeks and months,” Dr Sherbon said.

Mr Hill said he felt deeply for all cancer patients affected by the errors.

“I know this has been a really tough time for people who went through the cancer treatment and for their family and friends,” the minister said.

“I really feel for them and regret that they have been impacted by the incident itself and the subsequent review.”

The review made 14 recommendations for improvements to cancer treatments at the hospital and Dr Sherbon said most had already been implemented.