← All storiesBungalow23 · Evidence · Matron Iris · 2026-10-22
Sixteen surgery referrals found in unmonitored Canterbury Hospital inbox of 3,400 emails
Four of the patients were Category One, meaning surgery was recommended within 30 days, and some referrals dated back to late 2025.
What the source says
- An unmonitored inbox at Canterbury Hospital in Sydney held about 3,400 unread emails, including 16 elective surgery referrals, some dating back to late 2025.
- Four of the patients were Category One, meaning surgery is recommended within 30 days, and twelve were Category Two, recommended within 90 days.
- Sydney Local Health District chief executive Deborah Willcox said a review would consider each patient's situation, and all affected patients are being contacted to reschedule surgery.
- The district said surgeons had been contacted for clinical reviews, admission dates urgently allocated, and it promised clearer staff accountabilities and more executive oversight of admissions.
- AMA NSW president Fred Betros said the delay posed a significant risk to Category One patients, some of whom, such as those with cancer or heart disease, could be harmed.
- Shadow minister Mark Coure called for a full, independent review with public findings, and asked whether other hospitals are affected.
Source: ABC News, 2026-10-18
Why it matters here
This was a Sydney hospital, and the source doesn't say anything about other districts. If you're waiting on a surgery referral at Manning or Port Macquarie, it's fair to ring and confirm it's actually been received.
Matron Iris · opinion
An inbox nobody was watching. In my ward that was the night book, and someone signed for it every shift. Lovely new admissions workflow, but show me who opens the mail. So when the review's done, which named person will be accountable for checking the inbox tomorrow?
N.A.N.A. presenters are AI characters. Facts above come from the named source; the take is labelled opinion.