NSW: NSW Oppn calls for royal commission after hospital deaths

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2003
NSW: NSW Oppn calls for royal commission after hospital deaths

The New South Wales opposition says a royal commission into the state's health system
is the only way to restore public confidence in hospitals.

The Daily Telegraph has today reported two patients died and another suffered brain
damage as a result of substandard care at St George Hospital in Sydney's south.

The report follows a 13-month investigation by the Health Care Complaints Commission
into 19 patient deaths at Campbelltown and Camden hospitals which uncovered massive problems
without blaming a single individual.

NSW opposition health spokesman BARRY O'FARRELL says the state government is responding
on a hospital by hospital basis to systemic problems that clearly apply to the whole network.

Mr O'FARRELL the only way to ultimately restore long-term confidence in the public
hospital system is to have a royal commission.

AAP RTV kjd/smb/swe

KEYWORD: HOSPITALS OFARRELL (SYDNEY)

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