DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

 

Friday, 12 December 2003

 

 

DEATHS IN SYDNEY HOSPITALS TIP OF THE ICEBERG

 

“Every year at least 4,500 people die in Australian hospitals through preventable causes” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society. “That’s the same as 10 jumbo jets crashing every year with all lives lost. This fact has been well established since 1999 when the Federal Government set up a committee to look at the problem”

 

“Since then the committee has worked hard but most doctors working in hospitals have not noticed the committee exists,” said Dr Woodruff. “In that time another 1800 patients have died.

 

“Both Federal and State Governments throughout Australia need to force the pace of change, not by finding scapegoats, but by adequately resourcing hospitals and demanding change happens. Otherwise another jumbo jet will crash before Christmas.”

 

Dr Tim Woodruff

President

Doctors Reform Society