Healthscope issues statement on three hospital patient deaths

Healthscope has issued a statement outlining its response to the deaths of three patients at its hospitals: Joe Massa, Antoinette O’Brien and James Tsindos. “We care for nearly 150,000 patients in our emergency departments each year, with the vast majority receiving timely and compassionate care,” Healthscope said in its statement. “Regrettably, we acknowledge that there can be times, though they are rare, when our patient care and outcomes do not meet the standards we set for ourselves or the standard expected by the public.”

The death of 22-month-old Joe Massa, who passed away following treatment at the Northern Beaches Hospital ED, is one incident Healthscope points to. “There were unacceptable failings in the treatment of Joe, and we are unreservedly sorry that Joe did not receive the care he deserved in our hospital,” Healthscope said. “We have apologised to the Massa family, and we have accepted all findings and recommendations of the Serious Adverse Event Review. We will fully cooperate with the multiple inquiries that are looking into the circumstances surrounding Joe’s death.”

The deaths and inquests of Antoinette O’Brien and James Tsindos are also noted in the statement. “Ms O’Brien passed away in 2017 after presenting at Holmesglen Private Hospital,” Healthscope said. “The Coroner’s inquest into Ms O’Brien’s passing provided a range of recommendations regarding sepsis awareness across all EDs, which Healthscope has implemented in full. However the Coroner found that sadly there was no nursing or medical management that could have been undertaken that would have prevented Ms O’Brien’s death.”

Regarding Tsindos, Healthscope said: “The coronial inquest into the tragic death of James Tsindos in May 2021 is yet to report its findings. Healthscope is fully cooperating with the inquest and is committed to implementing any recommendations made by the Coroner when the finding is handed down.”

In its statement, Healthscope said it offers EDs in eight of its 38 hospitals, and that these EDs are regularly assessed and accredited against the NSQHS (National Safety and Quality Health Service) Standards. Healthscope added that its EDs also meet or exceed the national average for quality and safety performance, as measured by the ACHS (Australian Council on Healthcare Standards) Clinical Indicator Program, on a range of key clinical measures.

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