A former Launceston General Hospital manager who was alleged to have signed off on deaths that should have been referred to the state's coronial division will be investigated by the coroner's office and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
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The state's Health Department in February instigated an independent review into allegations from two LGH nurses at a parliamentary health inquiry that a senior doctor once employed at the hospital altered patient records to avoid their deaths being assessed by a coroner.
The department this week provided an update on the investigation, led by adjunct professor Deb Picone, and said six deaths at the hospital would be subject to coronial investigations.
"All of these cases were originally assessed by a single staff member, who is no longer employed by the Department of Health," department deputy secretary Dale Webster said.
"As a result, the independent panel will now examine further cases that the identified staff member was involved in."
In question time on Tuesday, Bass Greens MHA Cecily Rosol asked Health Minister Guy Barnett to recommit to publicly releasing the investigation's report in full and its terms of reference.
She asked whether the former senior doctor at the LGH had been referred to police for investigation.
Mr Barnett said the report was not yet complete, however, it would be publicly released once it had been reviewed by the Health Department.
"And with respect to the former staff member to whom you refer that former staff member, I'm advised has been referred to the relevant authorities," he said.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
