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Thursday 10 June, 1999 (1:34pm AEST) from ABC Online
The deaths of two public hospital patients in Sydney, following the use of an incorrect medical substance, is to be examined by the Health Care Complaints Commission and possibly the coroner.
Twenty-two patients seen by a specialist at Canterbury Hospital had been injected with a substance which can scar or destroy nerves.
Since February a specialist at Canterbury Hospital has mistakenly used a dye containing phenol for x-rays on patients with serious illnesses.
Phenoyl destroys or scars nerves.
The gastroenterologist stopped treating patients this week after reporting the mistake.
The Director-General of New South Wales Health, Mick Reid, says the coroner may investigate the two deaths.
"There will also be an internal and an independent inquiry," he said.
"The staff involved have been withdrawn from all clinical work until the health care complaints commission investigation is finalised.
"This is a highly unusual and indeed disturbing event and I will be ensuring that following the investigation all necessary action will be taken."
The Health Minister, Craig Knowles, says it will be up to the Health Care Complaints Commission to decide whether the matter should be investigated by police.
"The opportunity is there for the Health Care Complaints Commissioner to refer any and all matters associated with this investigation to the Director of Public Prosecutions for matters relating to criminal negligence," he said.