Blacktown Hospital faces urgent independent review | 7NEWS

In a major development reported by 7NEWS Australia, the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) will conduct a high-level serious incident review into the death of 82-year-old Lorraine Wilkinson at Blacktown Hospital. The rare, urgent review follows a seven-year investigation and an internal probe that reportedly found protocols were not followed correctly. Families of other victims have also been contacted by senior hospital staff as the government seeks to address systemic problems at the facility.

Table of Contents

• What we know so far
• Why this review is unusual
• Families impacted and hospital response
• Context: sepsis, elderly patients and hallway care
• What the Clinical Excellence Commission review will examine
• Government and hospital next steps
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

What we know so far

Authorities have confirmed a targeted review into the case of Lorraine Wilkinson, who died of sepsis after waiting for hours in a hospital hallway at Blacktown Hospital. According to the report, the CEC's serious incident review will report directly to the Health Minister and is expected to be completed urgently, within weeks.

“The Clinical Excellence Commission will conduct a high-level serious incident review into the death of 82-year-old Lorraine Wilkinson, who died of sepsis after waiting hours in a hallway at Blacktown Hospital.”

Why this review is unusual

Senior sources describe this type of CEC review as rare. It is not standard procedure for every adverse outcome, which underscores the gravity of the circumstances revealed in the original investigation. The internal hospital review reportedly found that established protocols were not followed correctly, prompting the escalation to an independent, high-level investigation.

Families impacted and hospital response

Family members of victims featured in the investigation have been contacted by senior hospital staff. Sharon, the daughter of Lorraine Wilkinson, has been publicly described as "devastated and desperate for change." The engagement between hospital leadership and families suggests attempts to acknowledge failings and to work through next steps, but many relatives are calling for more than meetings — they want concrete reform.

“Her daughter, Sharon, devastated and desperate for change.”

Context: sepsis, elderly patients and hallway care

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that progresses rapidly, particularly in older people. Early recognition and timely treatment—often involving fluids, antibiotics and monitoring—are critical to survival. Waiting hours in a hallway can delay assessment and intervention, increasing the risk of deterioration.

Emergency department crowding and hallway care are ongoing challenges for many hospitals. When protocols for triage, escalation and treatment are not strictly followed, vulnerable patients may suffer avoidable harm. The internal review's finding that protocols were not correctly followed is therefore central to the CEC's mandate to identify system failures and recommend corrective actions.

What the Clinical Excellence Commission review will examine

• Whether clinical protocols and triage procedures were followed for Ms Wilkinson and other patients.
• How decisions were made about patient placement and monitoring while waiting in the emergency department.
• Systemic issues such as staffing levels, escalation procedures, documentation and training.
• Recommendations for immediate and long-term changes to prevent similar outcomes.

The CEC review will report directly to the Health Minister and aims to deliver urgent findings within weeks, rather than months, reflecting the public concern and seriousness of the case.

Government and hospital next steps

Senior hospital staff meeting with families indicates a move toward transparency and accountability, but families and the wider community will be watching for tangible changes: updated procedures, better resourcing, improved monitoring of patients waiting in hallways, and enhanced escalation pathways when staff identify clinical deterioration.

Conclusion

The CEC’s rare, high-level serious incident review marks an escalation in response to serious concerns raised by a seven-year investigation into deaths at Blacktown Hospital. The coming weeks should provide more clarity on what went wrong in the case of Lorraine Wilkinson and what systemic reforms will be recommended to protect patients—especially the elderly—who require urgent care.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) serious incident review?

The CEC is an independent body that examines clinical safety and quality issues. A serious incident review is an in-depth, independent assessment of a particular event or pattern of events to determine what happened, why it happened and what must change to prevent recurrence. These reviews are typically reserved for cases with significant patient harm or systemic concerns.

Why is this review described as rare?

Not every adverse outcome triggers a CEC serious incident review. The CEC usually reserves these reviews for cases where initial investigations suggest systemic failure, repeated issues, or where public confidence requires an independent, transparent assessment.

What is sepsis and why are older patients at higher risk?

Sepsis is the body's extreme reaction to an infection. It can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death if not treated promptly. Older adults often have weaker immune systems, multiple comorbidities, or atypical symptoms, which can delay diagnosis and treatment, increasing the risk of severe outcomes.

What can families expect from the review process?

Families should expect an independent assessment of the clinical care provided, explanations about findings, and recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents. The CEC may also suggest measures for communication with affected families and improvements to hospital systems and protocols.

How quickly will the findings be available?

Officials have stated the review will be conducted urgently, with reporting to the Health Minister expected within weeks. The exact timeline will depend on the scope of the review and the volume of material the CEC must examine.