Caboolture Hospital scan review: thousands potentially at risk

When we go to the hospital, we expect our tests and scans to be reviewed promptly and thoroughly. According to recent news coverage, for thousands of patients at Caboolture Hospital, that may not have happened.

The Metro North Hospital and Health Service have launched a major review into how medical imaging results were handled in the hospital’s specialist outpatient department.

The concern? That scans for up to 9,000 patients may not have been properly reported, or may not have been reviewed by the doctors who ordered them.

A breakdown in the process

News reports indicate that the issue traces back to a change in internal systems at the Caboolture Hospital in April 2023. This meant that some scans may have slipped through the cracks.

While the Metro North Hospital and Health Service say many results were reviewed during appointments, they’ve admitted there was a “gap” in how results were distributed.

Now, an internal team of clinicians is working through thousands of cases to ensure nothing critical was missed.

What this means for patients

Behind every scan is a person; someone who may have been waiting for answers, for a diagnosis, or for reassurance.

Delays in reviewing imaging can have serious consequences. It’s not just about missed results. It’s about missed opportunities for early intervention, for timely treatment, and for peace of mind.

In this instance, the delays of up to two years could be the difference between life and death.

When medical imaging is not reviewed promptly or thoroughly, conditions that could have been treated early may progress to more advanced and dangerous stages.

This is particularly critical in cases involving:

• Cancer detection
• Stroke or neurological conditions
• Internal bleeding or injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Cardiac abnormalities

We see this far too often

As concerning as this situation is, what's perhaps even more troubling is that Caboolture Hospital's experience isn't unique. This isn't an isolated incident.

Over the years, our team has represented many patients and families affected by delayed or missed diagnoses resulting in devastating consequences.

Earlier this year, Redland Hospital came under scrutiny for failures in its bowel cancer screening program. Patients were left with delayed diagnoses, and in some cases, missed opportunities for curative or life-changing treatment.

We've worked with families who have lost a loved one to cancer that was visible but went unreported on medical scans taken months or years earlier.

We've helped people who became permanently disabled because a treatable condition wasn't identified in time.

We've sat across from clients who have suffered life-altering injuries or terminal illnesses that could have been avoided if their imaging had been reviewed and reported correctly when it should have been.

These aren't just files. They are people whose lives changed completely because of missed opportunities to catch something earlier.

While an apology from a health service is an important acknowledgment, it doesn't assist the patients with what may be devastating consequences and financial burdens.

What can affected patients do?

If you have been contacted by the Metro North Hospital and Health Service regarding imaging review failures, or if you suspect your medical imaging may not have been properly reviewed, you can:

1. Request your medical records - You are entitled to copies of all your medical records, including imaging reports and any correspondence about the review failures.
2. Seek a second opinion - Consider having your imaging reviewed by an independent specialist to determine if anything was missed.
3. Document everything - Keep records of all communications with the hospital, including the apology letter and any information about the review process.
4. Seek independent legal advice - You are entitled to seek independent legal advice about your rights in relation to any adverse outcome or injury that occurred.