NSW Health hastoday released the report of the independent review conducted by Ms GailFurness SC into the appointments and management of complaints by local healthdistricts about Dr Emil Gayed.
DeputySecretary of NSW Health, Dr Nigel Lyons, paid tribute to those who came forwardbefore and during the review.
"We would liketo thank the brave patients and staff members who contributed to theinquiry. They assisted greatly in identifying the systems failure in theadministration of Dr Gayed's appointments and management, which affected thecare he provided," he said.
"Ensuring thatour patients receive quality services and appropriate and safe care remains thepriority of NSW Health and we are very sorry that this was not the case formany women who were treated by Dr Gayed."
Dr Lyons saidNSW Health has accepted the report and its recommendations in full. Thetreatment of more than 50 women has been referred to the Health Care ComplaintsCommission for investigation.
At thedirection of the NSW Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard, NSW Health will alsoprovide the report to NSW Police for investigation and consideration ofprosecution.
"Nothing can bedone to change the mistakes of the past, but we can ensure that therecommendations in this report are fully implemented to prevent these failuresfrom happening again," Dr Lyons said.
Since receivingthe report, NSW Health has applied a range of changes based on the three keyrecommendations.
The threerecommendations were:
- A review of governance processes to ensure incident reports are monitored at the district level. A review of the incident management reporting system to improve system oversight is currently underway across the NSW Health network;
- Arrangements be in place with VMOs who provide care for their patients using public hospitals, to provide sufficient information to ensure that their care is appropriate. NSW Health will work with key stakeholders to put appropriate processes in place; and
- Ensure adequate oversight of practitioners. All LHDs have been advised of the requirement that where services are reliant on a sole medical practitioner or a small specialist team that these services are subject to external oversight from practitioners in other parts of the District, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas.
In June 2018,the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal found Dr Gayed guilty of professionalmisconduct. Dr Gayed's medical licence was suspended for threeyears.
The report isavailable in full on the NSW Health Website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/patients/inquiry/gayed
