Paper referral backlog at Mildura Hospital linked to cancer deaths and delays

Mildura Base Public Hospital in Victoria uncovered a backlog of 150 critical GP referrals that remained in cardboard boxes for up to 16 months, causing severe delays in diagnostic and treatment services for cancer patients. One patient died and another received a terminal prognosis while awaiting specialist appointments that were postponed for months. The hospital has reported the sentinel events to Safer Care Victoria and launched an internal investigation.

Health professionals argue that faster triage would have markedly improved patient outcomes. The incident underscores the broader problem of outdated paper-based processes in regional hospitals, a concern raised by the Australian Medical Association Victoria and opposition health spokesperson Georgie Crozier. The hospital, which still sorts referrals manually, is now moving toward an electronic system, a project estimated to cost around $70 million across the Loddon Mallee region.