Latest news with #WesternSydneyLocalHealthDistrict
7NEWS
28-07-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Family pleads for change after father Dennis Carruthers dies following discharge from Blacktown Hospital
The grieving family of a much-loved father claims he died because of alleged neglect, and are desperate for change at a busy Australian hospital. Dennis Carruthers, 82, was laid to rest in a funeral service held in northwest Sydney on Monday. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Grieving family demands action after father's death at Blacktown Hospital. He had been discharged from Blacktown Hospital earlier in July having battled bacterial infection cellulitis in his legs. He died when his legs gave way days later. '(My father) needed to be in hospital, and he probably would still be with us today [if he was],' his son Brad Carruthers told 7NEWS. 'He didn't get the attention he needed. He needed more time.' Carruthers said the hospital was understaffed, health workers were under the pump and his dad was pushed out the door before his legs had time to heal. 'He said 'I just need more time' and they kept saying 'no, you've got to go, we've got this room for someone else',' Carruthers said. Health Minister Ryan Park told 7NEWS: 'I offer my sincere condolences to the family.' 'Western Sydney Local Health District is urgently looking into this matter.' Park added that Dennis Carruthers was medically assessed as 'fit for discharge' and had been given a home visit and follow-up care. It comes almost a year after a 7NEWS investigation exposed a crisis at Blacktown Hospital. More shocking images emerged just last week. 'The situation at Blacktown Hospital is out of control,' NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said. The Carruthers family wants action now, 'so it doesn't happen to someone else's father'. They have suggested a deep and proper investigation into the hospital. 7NEWS understands moves are being made at state parliament for an inquiry and developments should be seen this week including a recruitment drive and safe staff ratios.
Sydney Morning Herald
26-06-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney hospital boss departs after cancer diagnosis delays revealed
The head of one of Sydney's busiest health districts has departed after it emerged patients with cancer were waiting up to a year for essential procedures due to a massive backlog of cases. Less than an hour before they were due to move a vote of no-confidence in Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) chief executive Graeme Loy, doctors at Westmead Hospital received an email from NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce informing them Loy would be leaving the position next week. 'Graeme has been a passionate advocate for western Sydney, committed to championing key reforms in digital health, integrated care, and workforce development,' Pearce wrote, crediting his role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in western Sydney and operating the state's largest vaccination hub at Qudos Bank Arena. Former South Western Sydney LHD boss Amanda Larkin will act as interim chief executive until a replacement is found. Loy was appointed to the role in 2018 and has overseen the development of the Westmead Health and Innovation Precinct, as well as early planning and design for a new hospital at Rouse Hill. Loading He had a brief stint as interim chief executive of Sydney LHD after Teresa Anderson resigned following a vote of no-confidence in her leadership by doctors at Concord Hospital. Almost 200 senior doctors had gathered at Westmead on Thursday evening for an urgent special meeting to vote on a no-confidence motion in Loy, after this masthead revealed at least 21 patients had their cancer diagnoses delayed as the hospital's waiting list for endoscopies surpassed more than 3300 people. The vote proceeded despite Loy's resignation, and was passed unanimously. All 192 doctors present voted to send a delegation to meet with NSW Health to discuss their next steps.
The Age
26-06-2025
- Health
- The Age
Sydney hospital boss resigns after cancer diagnosis delays revealed
The boss of one of Sydney's busiest health districts has resigned after it emerged patients with cancer were waiting up to a year for essential procedures due to a massive backlog of cases. Less than an hour before they were due to move a vote of no confidence in Western Sydney Local Health District chief executive Graeme Loy, doctors at Westmead Hospital received an email from NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce informing them Loy would be leaving the position next week. 'Graeme has been a passionate advocate for western Sydney, committed to championing key reforms in digital health, integrated care, and workforce development,' Pearce wrote, crediting his role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in western Sydney, and operating the state's largest vaccination hub at Qudos Bank Arena. Loy has held the position for seven years, overseeing the development of the Westmead Health and Innovation Precinct, and early planning and design for a new hospital at Rouse Hill. Dozens of senior doctors had gathered at Westmead on Thursday evening for an urgent special meeting to vote on a no-confidence motion in Loy, after this masthead revealed at least 21 patients had their cancer diagnoses delayed as the hospital's waitlist for endoscopies surpassed more than 3300 people. Medical Staff Council deputy chair Jenny King told doctors in a letter on Tuesday that multiple members had requested to meeting to 'address serious concerns regarding the management' of Westmead and propose a vote of no confidence in Loy. Loading 'You will all be aware the MSC has advocated for many years for improvement in patient care including excessive delays in clinic review, procedures and surgical admissions,' King wrote. 'This has been a particular concern for those patients with a positive faecal occult blood screen.' The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program recommends a patient with a positive result from the blood stool test should undergo a colonoscopy within 30 days.
Sydney Morning Herald
26-06-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney hospital boss resigns after cancer diagnosis delays revealed
The boss of one of Sydney's busiest health districts has resigned after it emerged patients with cancer were waiting up to a year for essential procedures due to a massive backlog of cases. Less than an hour before they were due to move a vote of no confidence in Western Sydney Local Health District chief executive Graeme Loy, doctors at Westmead Hospital received an email from NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce informing them Loy would be leaving the position next week. 'Graeme has been a passionate advocate for western Sydney, committed to championing key reforms in digital health, integrated care, and workforce development,' Pearce wrote, crediting his role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in western Sydney, and operating the state's largest vaccination hub at Qudos Bank Arena. Loy has held the position for seven years, overseeing the development of the Westmead Health and Innovation Precinct, and early planning and design for a new hospital at Rouse Hill. Dozens of senior doctors had gathered at Westmead on Thursday evening for an urgent special meeting to vote on a no-confidence motion in Loy, after this masthead revealed at least 21 patients had their cancer diagnoses delayed as the hospital's waitlist for endoscopies surpassed more than 3300 people. Medical Staff Council deputy chair Jenny King told doctors in a letter on Tuesday that multiple members had requested to meeting to 'address serious concerns regarding the management' of Westmead and propose a vote of no confidence in Loy. Loading 'You will all be aware the MSC has advocated for many years for improvement in patient care including excessive delays in clinic review, procedures and surgical admissions,' King wrote. 'This has been a particular concern for those patients with a positive faecal occult blood screen.' The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program recommends a patient with a positive result from the blood stool test should undergo a colonoscopy within 30 days.
