Systematic problems with cochlear implants at Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital, 2023 review reveals
A 2023 review for the South Australian governent found that not less than 30 of 208 having coclear implants at the Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital over nearly two decades had an adverse outcome as a result of the mapping services associated with the implants not being administered the way they should have been
The families of more than 200 children caught up in a Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital cochlear implant bungle were to be offered compensation after a review in 2023 found long-standing systemic problems with the programme dating back over nearly two decades. In 2024, the state government's SA Health said the number of children affected by incorrect mapping of their implants had risen to 141.
The South Australian government launched an independent external review into the hospital to investigate how it wrongly programmed the cochlear implants of 30 children, causing what are expected to be lifelong developmental problems. The state government said the review had identified 208 children who have received care since 2006 but it was still unclear exactly how many of those children had their cochlear implants incorrectly mapped.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the review revealed that not less than 30 of those 208 had an adverse outcome as a result of the mapping services associated with cochlear implants not being administered the way they should have been: "It means that their hearing hasn't been as good as what it would otherwise be. That has severe consequences. It affects a child's capacity to speak. It affects a child's capacity to engage. It has dramatic impacts on family members, particularly parents. It is truly heartbreaking to contemplate a young person in this circumstance."
The review found significant gaps including inadequate processes, policies, competency frameworks for staff and a lack of appropriate clinical training in the program. It also found the hospital didn’t adequately comply with incident review policies as the mapping problems were initially identified.
The state government said it would offer the families of children who were undermapped at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital an initial payment of $50,000 that did not replace a family's full compensation rights. Families of children who hadn’t been undermapped would be entitled to $5,000 to recognise the stress and impact the bungle has had on families. Impacted families were sent a letter containing the full report, a summary of the findings and information on how to apply for the payment scheme.
Later in 2023, Women's and Children's Health Network said reviews also were being offered to 55 adults who received care as children between 1991 and 2006.
