Hospital discovers thousands of unread emails

Sydney Local Health District found about three thousand four hundred unread emails in an inbox at Canterbury Hospital, including sixteen patient surgery referrals dating back to late twenty twenty-five.

Referrals breached urgent waiting time standards

Four patients were classified as Category One, requiring surgery within thirty days. Twelve others were Category Two, requiring surgery within ninety days. All had their waiting times breached.

Medical association warns of serious health risks

Australian Medical Association NSW president Fred Betros said the delay posed significant risk to Category One patients. Some patients with cancer or heart disease needing bypass surgery could face serious consequences.

“They're people who could have, or do have cancers, they're people who have heart disease and they need a bypass.”

Hospital launches review and reschedules surgeries

Sydney Local Health District chief executive Deborah Willcox said the review would examine each patient's situation separately. All affected patients are being contacted to have surgeries rescheduled urgently.

“The review is being undertaken and we'll look to each patient's situation separately and work through the issues carefully.”

Opposition demands independent investigation

Shadow Minister for South-west Sydney Mark Coure called for a full independent review with public findings. He demanded explanation of how the error occurred and whether other hospitals face the same problem.

“I'm calling today for a full and independent review with the findings to be made public.”