The death of a toddler from undiagnosed blood cancer has prompted a review by an independent expert panel of pediatric emergency care at a public hospital in Perth. or signup to continue reading Sandipan Dhar died at the Joondalup Health Campus on March 24, weeks after developing a mild fever following vaccinations. His parents, Sanjoy and Saraswati Dhar, say they asked for a blood test at the hospital on March 22 but a senior doctor refused to carry it out.
Private operator Ramsay Health Care, which runs the campus, announced a review on Thursday of pediatric emergency services at Joondalup. An independent expert panel of non-Ramsay pediatric emergency specialists from the eastern states will carry out the work. State manager Shane Kelly said although he believed the hospital was doing a good job, the review would help identify any problems and recommend areas for improvement.
"The independent specialists will look at Joondalup Health Campus clinical guidelines, policies, procedures and processes in the pediatric emergency service area, as well as staffing mix and development," he said. "Communication with parents will form a key part of this review with the panel expected to engage with families, staff and management as part of the process." Premier Roger Cook said WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson would meet with Ramsay Health Care representatives on Thursday.
Asked if he still had faith in the hospital, Mr Cook said his government wanted Ramsay to "look at what went.
