Nearly 900 patients contacted after colonoscopy audit
A health department audit raises questions about a private specialist's procedures at Goondiwindi and Warwick hospitals over the past three years, with patients affected urged to seek follow-up care.
Queensland Health is reaching out to nearly 900 patients who underwent colonoscopy procedures at Goondiwindi and Warwick hospitals between 2023 and 2026. An audit has raised concerns regarding whether the procedures performed by a private specialist met the required standards of care. The health department is contacting the affected patients and has referred the matter to the Office of the Health Ombudsman.
The quality assurance audit identified 890 patients whose colonoscopy procedures may not have adhered to the expected standards. Darling Downs Health acting chief executive Louise Van Every stated that there is no evidence to suggest any patients have been harmed. However, some procedures showed gaps in documentation, making it difficult to ascertain whether the procedures met the required standards for colonoscopy care.
Van Every emphasized that the department is taking a proactive approach by contacting all impacted patients, despite 92% of them being private patients. This outreach aims to ensure that patients are aware of the concerns identified and can access the appropriate follow-up care.
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