Surgery referrals missed in Sydney hospital email blunder
A review is underway after more than 3,000 emails, including 16 urgent referrals for elective surgery, were found in an unmonitored email inbox months after they were sent.
Sydney's Canterbury Hospital has come under fire after an email blunder led to the unattended handling of 3,400 emails, including 16 patient referrals. Some of these referrals dated back to late 2025, and four of the patients were deemed urgent, requiring surgery within 30 days, while 12 others needed treatment within 90 days. The Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) issued an apology and initiated a review following the discovery of the unchecked inbox.
SLHD CEO Deborah Willcox assured that each patient's situation would be addressed individually, with a focus on addressing the issues carefully.
The Australian Medical Association's NSW president, Fred Betros, expressed concern over the delay, stating that Category One patients, who are at risk due to conditions like cancer and heart disease, could face severe health consequences. He emphasized that while some patients may still receive timely care, others may not. An SLHD spokesperson confirmed that treating surgeons had been contacted to ensure appropriate clinical reviews and priority scheduling, with admission dates allocated urgently to minimize further delays.
The incident has sparked calls for a full and independent review, with Shadow Minister for South-west Sydney Mark Coure demanding transparency from the health minister. Coure questioned how such a significant oversight could have occurred and inquired whether other hospitals faced similar issues.
Health Minister Ryan Park has been reached for comment. The hospital is currently exploring restructuring measures, including voluntary redundancies for non-frontline staff, as part of a broader response to the incident.
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