The Far South Coast’s top health bureaucrat has refused to directly answer questions about the misdiagnosis of a Pambula Beach woman, who died from an aggressive form of uterine cancer.
56-year-old Simone Crerar had been in increasing agony and debilitation when she passed away in July last year.
She had gone to South East Regional Hospital in Bega three months earlier but was told she just had fibroids.
We revealed last week that Simone’s brothers Stephen and Scott had heard nothing back for nine months since making a formal complaint.
After being contacted by Simone’s family, we sent Southern NSW Local Health District 16 detailed questions and asked to interview Chief Executive Margaret Bennett.
One week later we were told we can’t speak with Ms Bennett and instead received a four-sentence response.
A spokesperson said the LHD sincerely apologises for how the complaint has been handled and that they have reached out to the family.
They said they had reached out to the family to apologise for the lack of communication regarding their complaint, as well as to address the concerns they have raised with the care provided.
One of the concerns raised by Simone’s brothers was also not knowing if the health service had undertaken a full review of the care she received at South East Regional Hospital.
“A suitably qualified independent radiologist has conducted an external review of the circumstances around Ms Crerar’s case, the District is now making arrangements to meet with the family to discuss the findings.
“A full copy of the review, as well as all other relevant documentation was provided to the Health Care Complaints Commission as part of its investigation into Ms Crerar’s death.”
Our email to Southern NSW Local Health District.
