BREAKING: The Australian has just launched an urgent investigative podcast titled Sick to Death, diving back into the shocking Bundaberg Base Hospital scandal that captivated Queensland two decades ago. Award-winning journalist Hedley Thomas leads this gripping series, exploring the case of surgeon Jayant “Dr. Death” Patel, who was implicated in causing patient harm during his tenure at the hospital.
This groundbreaking podcast, adapted from Thomas’ book of the same name, poses a critical question: How did systemic failures permit such a catastrophic crisis to unfold? The series spans 16 episodes and features nearly 200 characters, brought to life through dynamic voice-acting and documentary-style production.
Listeners will experience exclusive interviews and never-before-seen archival materials, including Patel’s first public comments in decades, which can be accessed via sicktodeathpodcast.com. Editor-in-chief of The Australian, Michelle Gunn, emphasized that Sick to Death seamlessly blends long-form journalism with personal narratives and “world-class audio storytelling.”
“Sick to Death will give listeners a glimpse into a dark chapter in Australian healthcare,” Gunn stated. The podcast also features contributions from key figures like nurse Toni Hoffman and former MP Rob Messenger, who played pivotal roles in exposing Patel’s malpractice.
Thomas narrates the series, characterizing the events as “a once-in-a-lifetime scandal” that revealed political cover-ups and bureaucratic failures in an overstretched public health system. “Many of the factors which led to the travesty still remain today,” Thomas cautioned. His chilling narration aims to raise awareness and promote patient safety, highlighting that hearing this sweeping saga in audio form for the first time can be both haunting and enlightening.
Subscribers of The Australian will receive exclusive early access to each episode through the publication’s app and website, as well as through Apple Podcasts. Following a two-week exclusive window, episodes will then become available across major platforms.
This launch marks a significant expansion of The Australian’s offerings, including enhanced Apple Podcasts connected subscriptions enabling eligible digital subscribers to access exclusive content on both platforms.
Support for Thomas’ investigative series continues from Harvey Norman, reflecting a commitment to uncovering vital truths, following previous successes like Bronwyn, Shandee’s Story, The Night Driver, and The Teacher’s Pet.
Stay tuned for this profound exploration into healthcare negligence, and don’t miss your chance to understand how past failures can inform today’s patient safety measures. Listen now to Sick to Death and share this urgent podcast with your network!
