VICTIMS of medical malpractice in Tasmania’s public hospitals have been collectively paid almost $6 million in compensation over five years by the government’s self-insurance fund.
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Data released under Right to Information revealed one payment connected to the Launceston General Hospital was almost $1 million while the highest was connected to a North-West hospital worth $1.3 million.
Statewide, a further two payments were more than $500,000, seven were more than $100,000, and another 12 victims received more than $20,000.
The highest malpractice bill was at the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie and the Mersey Community Hospital in Devonport, with compensation payments collectively totalling $3.4 million.
Launceston General Hospital had payments totalling more than $1.8 million, followed by the Royal Hobart Hospital with more than $700,000. The health department pays $50,000 in excess for every malpractice claim.
The out-of-court settlement is then paid by the tax-payer funded Tasmanian Risk Management Fund, which is the government’s self-insurance fund.
Victims are compensated according to what they would have received if they sued in the courts, for any act, error or omission by doctors or hospitals in provision of medical care.
Specifics of each Tasmanian medical malpractice claim are not known and it is understood that victims sign confidentiality agreements before payment.
Across the country, medical negligence is paid out in the millions of dollars.
Examples included unnecessary chemotherapy resulting in injury, surgery complications causing paraplegia, and issues in birth care that led to the birth of a baby with cerebral palsy.
New South Wales reportedly paid out $37 million in negligence claims for 626 patients in 2017.
A state government spokesman said patient safety was taken “extremely seriously” and the Tasmanian Health Service had robust processes in place to deal with patient concerns and, in exceptional cases, medical malpractice.
“We have invested significantly in health since the 2014 election, with over 600 additional FTEs now employed that are helping to ensure more patients get the care they need when they need it,” the spokesman said.
“The government is also investing $757 million over the next six years that will result in 298 new hospital beds and over 1300 new staff.
“It should be noted that 55 of the 105 claims relate to incidents that occurred under the previous government, and the 2017-18 financial year was one of the lowest on record for payments made.”
