10 November 2015

Failure of governance - Doctor linked to 11 baby deaths

This matter has been described by the mainstream media as a 'failure of governance' in Victoria.

Unfortunately there are many more serious instances of a 'failure of governance' by the so called 'authorities' which are deliberately hidden from the general populous.

One aspect of governance is something called policing, where the police are supposed to be here to protect life and property, but instead are revenue collection agents for a corporation conglomerate called the 'Australian government', which is NOT the same as the de jure government called the 'Commonwealth of Australia', as per the Australian Constitution.

The government has done very little with respect to dodgy doctors in their 'practice'.

Who cares about the deaths of the children of the 'canon fodder' as long as the fines keep coming in, right?

And now it's easier to kill people and leave the country than to dodge an unlawful sheriff's of Victoria warrant arising from the illegal 'Infringements Court'.


From the news.com.au article of 15 October 2015 of the headline:

Bacchus Marsh Hospital investigated over deaths of seven babies


UPDATE: THE former director of obstetrics at Bacchus Marsh and Melton Regional Hospital had conditions placed on his medical licence after an investigation that found the deaths of seven babies may have been avoidable.
Director of obstetrics and gynaecology, Surinder Parhar, retired from the Djerriwarrh Health Services, which looks after the hospital, in July this year.

He had been at the hospital for 30 years.

Conditions were placed on his medical licence in June following a 28-month investigation by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority.

This investigation resulted from a doctor lodging a complaint. It is understood Mr Parhar has left the country.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting Mr Parhar was directly involved in the deaths.

In what Health Minister Jill Hennessy today described as a “catastrophic event”, an investigation into Djerriwarrh Health Services found seven of 10 stillborn or newborn deaths in 2013 and 2014 may have been avoidable.

Five babies died in 2013, and two in 2014.

The investigation, held by Professor Euan Wallace, found a “number of key failings at Djerriwarrh Health Services during 2013 and 2014”.

Do you know more, or have you been affected? Contact the Herald Sun newsdesk on 9292 1226 or news editor Elissa Hunt 

Despite the high number of deaths the hospital, nor its staff, ever raised an alert.

This issue came to light when a group of senior clinicians on the Consultative Council of Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity were reviewing data when they noticed an unusually high number of deaths.

Australian Nurses Federation secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said midwives had raised concerns over practices at the hospital and claims they were not listened too.

“Staff are very distressed and disturbed at what’s happened and there also relieved because we know our members here have been raising concerns about clinical risk and we passed those concerns onto the previous hospital’s executive,” she said.

“We also put those concerns in writing to the Department of Human Services and they’ve felt their concerns have been dismissed and not taken seriously.

“People want to make sure that what has happened never, ever happens again to any woman or family in this state ever again.”

Ms Fitzpatrick said staff raised concerns about the profile of some of the women giving birth at the regional hospital.

“They were concerned about the lack of consistency of obstetric and paediatric cover for women birthing here earlier than 37 weeks,” she said.

“They have declared themselves to be a level three maternity service so when you’re having premature babies here at 34 weeks, in particular when many of these women had serious medical conditions themselves, they believed they should have been at a tertiary maternity unit.”

The hospital’s administration has been replaced, while its obstetric services are being overseen by tertiary hospitals.

A further investigation has been launched to determine if the Department of Health should have realised the tragedy earlier.

“What has happened here has been a series of catastrophic failures by a number of parties that may have contributed to the very sad loss of young life,” Ms Hennessy said.

“In 2013/14 there were seven peri-natal deaths at Djerriwarrh — that is double the number expected, yet this was overlooked by the clinical leader and the board of Djerriwarrh.”

Health Minister Jill Hennessy at today’s press conference. Picture: Hamish Blair
Health Minister Jill Hennessy at today’s press conference. Picture: Hamish BlairSource:News Corp Australia

Ms Hennessy said the “shocking failures” at the hospital included inadequate reviews of peri-natal deaths.

“While Djerriwarrh did review some of the deaths at the time, it did not review them all. And while some were reviewed, they were inadequate and the findings were not always actioned,” she said.

The board was not told of some deaths, and there was poor oversight.

Other failures included staff misreading and misusing foetal surveillance, and the acceptance of high-risk pregnancies that should have been referred on.

Ms Hennessy said the hospital had “failed to adjust or update its practices to respond to rapid population growth in the region”, but she defended government investments in the health service.

She said some deliveries should not have been attempted at a service classified as a low-risk provider, and that staff were inadequately trained.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said concerns about a lack of staff, policies and equipment at Djerriwarrh’s maternity services were raised with the Health Department in 2014.

“Some midwives, and possibly doctors, had raised concerns with management and left the service in frustration when their concerns weren’t addressed,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.

“We know that there were an increased number of births at the service and this was not proportionately matched by increased staff or infrastructure.”

Dr John Ballard, who was appointed to the Djerriwarrh board to oversee the hospital in the wake of the deaths, said they resulted from “multi-system failure” and there was not one doctor common to each case.
Bacchus Marsh and Melton Regional Hospital. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Bacchus Marsh and Melton Regional Hospital. Picture: Nicole GarmstonSource:News Corp Australia

Ms Hennessy said it was a “truly heartbreaking set of circumstances”, and full support would be given to the families involved.

She said the investigation would be transparent because the families deserved to know the truth about the “shocking failure”.

The affected families may be eligible for compensation.

“I am deeply conscious that nothing can change the past for these families,” Ms Hennessey said.

Ms Hennessy said the impact of the scandal was unimaginable for women already grieving over the loss of their babies.

“After these women endured the death of their babies, in some circumstances they weren’t given the information that they sought,” she said.

“It is heartbreaking to think of these women thinking that for some reason the death of their baby may have been their fault.

“It is absolutely critical that we are able to get every piece of information around their pregnancies and the births and have that peer reviewed.”

Senior staff from the Royal Women’s Hospital have been sent to Djerriwarrh to provide expert oversight and better clinical training for staff.

Principal at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers Dimitra Dubrow told 3AW two families had contacted the firm about the deaths of their babies.

“What they are telling us ... is that they have been contacted by the Department of Health and advised that the circumstances surrounding their baby’s death is being looked into and that the death may have been prevented.

“You can imagine this would be extremely distressing for these families who have already suffered a painful loss.”

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency said Mr Parhar had been investigated after a complaint in 2013 about his care of a mother after the stillbirth of her baby at the hospital.

Action was taken against the doctor imposing conditions on his registration requiring education and mentoring.

“At the time, AHPRA and the boards were not advised of abnormally high peri-natal mortality rates at the health service, or about any concerns about that doctor’s care of other patients, or concerns about the quality of obstetric or midwifery care provided at the Djerriwarrh Health Service,” the statement reads.

AHPRA said the case was not sent to a tribunal because it did not meet the threshold for referral.

CEO Martin Fletcher apologised for the time taken to investigate the complaint about that doctor.
Mr Parhar surrendered his registration on October 1.

AHPRA said it was now launching a wider investigation into other doctors and midwives at the Djerriwarrh Health Service.

“In late July 2015, AHPRA, the Medical Board of Australia and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia first learned of wider concerns about potentially avoidable peri-natal deaths at the health service.

“Immediately, AHPRA used its powers to require the Djerriwarrh Health Service to provide information to enable close regulatory scrutiny of care provided by registered health practitioners at the service.”

It is believed the hospital received significant government funding to help expand maternity services just a year ago.

More than $740,000 was directed towards the maternity services unit in 2014.

The hospital’s maternity services birthrate had doubled in less than a decade.

According to the 2013/14 annual report, 897 babies were born in the maternity unit in that year.

In the 2012/13 financial year, 1016 babies were born and 914 born in the year before that.

It was expected the hospital would be catering for up to 1400 births a year as a result of the expansion.

With AAP



09 November 2015

Police had three chances to stop stolen car used in hit run tragedy but did nothing

Another crime committed where police are totally useless.

Just as long as there is REVENUE from 'speeding' motorists.

From the Herald Sun newspaper with the headline:

FREE TO KILL






Tim Jellis, who died in a fatal car crash in Taylors Lakes. Picture: Facebook.

UPDATE: HUNDREDS of people gathered in Melbourne’s east to remember Gisborne man Tim Jellis, who died in a tragic hit-run car crash in Taylors Lakes last month.

As family and friends filled St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church in Surrey Hills for a thanksgiving service, Victoria’s top roads cop defended the force’s controversial no-pursuit policy which has been linked to 25-year-old’s death.

Mr Jellis was driving to a friend’s house in Taylors Lakes when the stolen Audi smashed into his car, killing him instantly on October 24.

The Herald Sun revealed police had spotted the Audi three times just days before the fatal crash but were unable to pursue the vehicle due to the no chase policy.

Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Doug Fryer defended the policy, but conceded it was unpopular among members.

“We know some of our members are frustrated and it's a little unpalatable for them to not chase the bad guy,” Assistant Commissioner Fryer told 3AW.

“But you look back to why we’ve done this ... we’ve had 14 deaths in a four-and-a-half year period (from police pursuits).”

The scene of the fatal hit-run accident. Picture: Mark Stewart
Peter and Glenyce Jellis attend the funeral for their son Tim. Picture: Andrew Henshaw
Police Minister Wade Noonan also told 3AW yesterday the new policy was made after coronial inquests into fatal pursuits.

“It’s very much an attempt to strike a balance between public safety and arresting an offender such that police will pursue only in the most serious cases where there is imminent danger to public safety,” he said.

Tim’s parents Peter and Glenyce Jellis do not blame police, but have raised serious concerns for the policy.
“The police are only really doing what they can,” Peter said.

“If they did pursue and there was another accident or another fatality, then the police wouldn’t be following their instructions — it is really a catch 22 if they’re in the right or wrong.”

Friends and family travelled from interstate and overseas to pay their respects to the generous, caring and humble Tim Jellis — nicknamed ‘smiley’ for his infectious grin.

Brothers Andrew and Mark Jellis and family friend Dennis Wright gave eulogies at the service.

Mr Wright said Tim loved Jesus and his AFL football, particularly the Bombers.

He said one wall of his bedroom displayed his favourite bible versus, while another was dedicated to Essendon.

Tim was also passionate about his pet dogs Nelly and Fletch and living in the bush.

In lieu of flowers the family accepted donations from the Presbyterian Inland Mission.

Three balaclava-clad men fled he scene after hitting Mr Jellis’ car. Picture: Mark Stewart
Police Minister Wade Noonan told 3AW that the new policy was made after coronial inquests into fatal pursuits.

“It’s very much an attempt to strike a balance between public safety and arresting an offender such that police will pursue only in the most serious cases where there is imminent danger to public safety,” he said.
Victoria Police would not respond to questions over sightings of the stolen Audi days before the deadly crash.

“It would be inappropriate to comment any further as the matter is before the courts,” spokeswoman Anthoula ­Moutis said.

Three teens have been charged with culpable driving over the fatality. But officers have voiced their anger at the new pursuit policy.

The Herald Sun has been told that soon after the restricted pursuit policy was enforced, offenders drove into an inner-suburban police station carpark and did burnouts.

Officers were forced to watch from inside the station, unable to pursue the offenders.

Ram raids were also escalating, a senior officer said.

“I think it’s the start of ­anarchy, ultimately.”

Melbourne doctor fears link between mobile phone use and brain cancer

Melbourne doctor fears link between mobile phone use and brain cancer
Melbourne doctor fears link between mobile phone use and brain cancer. Photo: 7News
A leading Melbourne doctor is blaming mobile phones for an escalation in brain cancer.

Dr John Tickell has fought his own cancer battle and claims radiation is the link.

He says it should be a wake up call for anyone who uses a mobile phone.

Dr Tickell was a on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne when he suffered a seizure. A subsequent brain scan revealed five tumours; one was the size of a golf ball.

"It's maybe the scariest words you'll ever hear, 'you have brain cancer'," Dr Tickell said.

Now in remission, Dr Tickell believes radiation is a significant contributing factor to the increasing rate in brain tumours.

"There's a million more times radiation in the air today than there was fifty years ago - that is frightening," he said.

Some 35 Australians are diagnosed with brain cancer every week.

Christian Althaus, of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, said: "The exhaustive studies that have been done to date have found no link, we expect that to continue but science will continue to examine this issue."

The most comprehensive study involved 5000 brain cancer patients worldwide.

While it found there was no increased risk of cancer overall, those who used their mobile phones were up to 40 per cent more likely to develop Glioma, a common type of brain cancer.

The 32 million mobiles in use in Australia carry a little know warning that the phone should be held at least 5mm away from the body.

While neurosurgeons believe the rise in brain cancer can be attributed to better diagnosis, patients remain worried.

"It's probably the most common question asked, but all you can say is there is no definite evidence," Neurosurgeon Andrew Kaye said.

If you're concerned about mobile phone use, the advice is:
  • Use a headset
  • Limit phone calls
  • Text instead
  • Regularly swap ears