Legal action threatened in Australia over poor sterilisation
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- Published: Monday, 06 July 2015 08:04
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Several patients who may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis are considering legal action against the Sydney (Australia) dentists who performed invasive dental surgery with poorly sterilised equipment. Lawyers have been contacted by several distressed patients after it was revealed over 11,000 people were potentially exposed to blood-borne diseases at clinics in the city.
"We are now investigating the potential legal action that could be brought by people exposed to HIV and hepatitis after infection control breaches at four Sydney dental clinics," said Shine Lawyers' Medical Negligence department. Patients who have been diagnosed with HIV or hepatitis may be entitled to sue the clinics and claim hefty compensation payouts due to the serious and life-threatening nature of these conditions, they said. "Furthermore, the clinics and practitioners involved could face sanctions from regulatory bodies for failing to take appropriate safeguards with patient care."
Health authorities have refused to list the names of the staff involved, citing confidentiality requirements. New South Wales Health has advised all 11,251 patients who were treated at the clinics to be tested if they had invasive procedures that involved instruments being placed in their gums or complex surgery, but stressed the risk of infection was low.
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