In 2022-23, Safer Care Victoria worked with Albury Wodonga Health, Albury Wodonga Private Hospital and Insight Private Hospital to contact around 2,000 patients who had a colonoscopy performed in the region since 1 January 2018.
An investigation had found that some colonoscopies performed in the region were incomplete, which may have affected the accuracy of the resulting diagnoses.
Many affected patients underwent a repeat colonoscopy as a precautionary measure.
Every person impacted was offered support and counselling to ensure the best health outcomes, as well as peace of mind.
The Albury Wodonga community can be assured that this matter was confined to one surgeon. All three health services continue to provide safe and reliable health care to the community and are deeply committed to ensuring affected patients and their families receive the best available follow-up care.
The Albury Wodonga region colonoscopy recall program formally closed on 31 July 2023, after 200 days in operation.