The Malinauskas Labor government will reform the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cochlear Implant Program, offer upfront payments to impacted families, and establish a special unit to facilitate compensation claims.
An independent review released in full on Aug. 21 found long-standing systemic problems with the service since 2006 and offered 59 recommendations, which the South Australian (SA) government says it will fully implement.
Some recommendations aim to address issues like poor staffing levels, the need for more training, and communication with families.
The review found that 208 children, who received cochlear implants and mapping services from the hospital, could have been negatively affected.
So far, 30 children are already confirmed to have an adverse impact due to the hospital’s program.
“My heart goes out to affected families, and I want them to know that we are adopting all 59 recommendations and putting additional funding in to overhaul the service and ensure severe errors like this are not repeated,” he said in a statement.
Compensation and Special Unit Provided
Children who were under-mapped and received implants after 2006 will receive an initial $50,000 payment, which does not replace their full compensation rights, while those who were not under-mapped will also receive $5,000 for stress and anxiety.In the meantime, the SA government is establishing a Special Purpose Family Engagement Unit to provide as much assistance to families as possible.
The Unit will work with the independent Family Liaison Unit, which will advocate for families and provide support.
The report addressed specific concerns related to the Women’s and Children’s cochlear program and has national implications.
A similar serious mapping issue has already been identified in a Queensland cochlear implant service.
SA Health Minister Picton has written to federal Health Minister Mark Butler to advise of potential implications for services around the country.
The reviewers recommend that minimum standards for cochlear implant mapping be developed at a national level.
An independent interstate provider, NextSense, will conduct a clinical review assessing individual children’s implants since 2006, and once completed, the true extent of the under-mapping suffered by the 208 children will come to light.
A letter containing the full report, a summary of findings, and information on how to apply for the payment scheme has been sent to all the families affected.
A dedicated phone line has also been set up at (08) 8155 5635.
