Colonoscopy Review – Calvary Lenah Valley Hospital
Calvary Health Care is contacting all patients who underwent a colonoscopy with the late Dr Hugh Jackson between November 2017 and May 2018 at Calvary Lenah Valley Hospital in Hobart to undergo a repeat procedure.
It is possible when these patients had their colonoscopy a small part of the bowel may not have been viewed. As a precaution, Calvary has received expert medical advice that a repeat procedure should be undertaken to reassure patients no abnormality was missed.
Calvary’s National Chief Operating Officer, Mr Matt Hanrahan, said: “We have taken advice from a team of specialist doctors who believe, as a precaution, it is advisable to repeat the procedure. This advice will be discussed with every patient in a face-to-face clinic meeting to consider their personal situation.
“This is a precautionary measure to be 100% sure nothing abnormal has been missed.
“Based on the advice we have received from our medical experts, we believe that the overall risk for the entire group of patients in the period we are concerned about is low. Nevertheless, the risk for individual patients is uncertain, and because of this we are advising those patients to consider a repeat colonoscopy.”
Mr Hanrahan added: “We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience or distress this may cause patients and their families. Patients will not pay any costs associated with this process nor the repeat procedure.
“Calvary has identified all patients who may have been affected and each is being contacted individually.”
Calvary has undertaken the following actions:
- Identified all patients who may have been affected. These are patients who have had a colonoscopy performed by Dr Hugh Jackson between 1 November 2017 and 2 May 2018.
- Ensured that all patients identified are contacted individually by experienced nurses.
- Engaged with specialist doctors to ensure the highest quality and most appropriate response for each patient.
- Established a 1800 Number to respond to questions from the community (1800 549 679).
“We understand patients will be concerned. This is why we are working as quickly as possible with the best possible medical advice to call each one of them to inform them and their GPs,” said Mr Hanrahan.
Patients who saw Dr Jackson between November 2017 and May 2018 can call the 1800 549 679 number and they will be contacted directly by a nurse if they haven’t already had a direct call.
The call centre is available Monday to Friday 9 am – 9 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 5 pm.