NSW: Allowances needed for mistakes in over-stretched hospitals

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2003
NSW: Allowances needed for mistakes in over-stretched hospitals

A medical union says doctors are accountable for their own negligence but they shouldn't
have to shoulder all the blame for mistakes in under-resourced hospitals.

Campbelltown and Camden hospitals in Sydney's south-west are at the centre of a major
scandal after a probe found gross negligence had contributed to the deaths of at least
19 people.

Two doctors have been suspended and nine more have been referred to the NSW Medical
Board as a result of the findings.

Australian Medical Association NSW president Dr CHOONG-SIEW YONG says he'll question
any findings against individual doctors.

He says both hospitals in question were chronically under-resourced, forcing doctors
and nurses to work under enormous strain.

AAP RTV gmw/jph/sco/lma

KEYWORD: HOSPITALS DOCTORS (SYDNEY)

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