Class action on the cards for the 'Butcher of Bega'

Mar 12 2008

Former patients of former doctor, Graeme Reeves are being urged to come forward and attend a public meeting today to discuss a potential class action.

Up to 200 former patients of disgraced doctor Graeme Reeves are expected to attend the forum in Bega today, where lawyers are expected to brief former patients on their options along with patient action groups.

Several women are already expected to launch a class action lawsuit over the physical and emotional damage caused to them during treatment by Reeves.

Reeves, now labelled the 'Butcher of Bega', practiced as an obstetrician and gynaecologist on the south coast of New South Wales and is now under investigation for severe malpractice, including claims of genital mutilation.

Reeves was banned for practicing in 1998, but continued to treat patients until he was struck off by the medical tribunal in 2004.

The New South Wales Health Minister has promised that the Government will take responsibility for any damages resulting from proven malpractice.

The case has caused an uproar with patients questioning how he was able to continue practising despite being told not to as early as 1998 and being deregistered in 2004.

Reports have revealed that Reeves' work as an obstetrician and gynaecologist had been monitored since 1997 and include suspicions regarding his mental health.

Reeves mainly practiced out of Bega, as well as around the south coast of New South Wales and parts of northern Sydney.

Anonymous reports suggest Reeves's conduct towards his patients and nursing/theatre staff at Pambula Hospital was unprofessional and raises questions why patients continued to be referred to him despite doubts over his competency and character.

Reports are also surfacing about Reeves's poor practise methods and treatment of both patients and staff and concern about his aggressive behaviour, when nursing staff expressed their concern about his treatment of a number of patients.

Question are also being asked about why local doctors continued to refer patients to Reeves at his private rooms in Pambula even though Reeves was not allowed to operate at the hospital, where a new gynaecologist, Dr. Graubard, had been appointed.

An independent inquiry into the NSW Health System will investigate the allegations against Reeves and how he was hired by the Southern Area Health Service, despite his past record.

Critics say NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher needs to explain why no action was taken when the issue was first raised in Parliament in September last year.

They say the Health Department failure to prevent Reeves harming more women is "nothing short of gross negligence".