Rephonic
Artwork for Sick to Death

Sick to Death

The Australian
Bundaberg Hospital
Jayant Patel
Queensland Health
Dr. Jayant Patel
Tony Hoffman
Rob Messenger
Toni Hoffman
Des Bramwich
Bundaberg Base Hospital
Elise Neville
Patient Safety
Healthcare
Hedley Thomas
The Australian
Australian Healthcare
Harvey Norman
Healthcare Negligence
Jerry Fitzgerald
Gordon Nuttall
Royal Australasian College Of Surgeons

They called him ‘Doctor Death’: a surgeon charged with saving lives, but accused of taking them instead.

Dr Jayant Patel ruled over Bundaberg Hospital for two years in the early 2000s, despite being banned from surgical practice in the United States.

This gripping true account is the story that set Gold Walkley Award-winning journalist Hedley Thomas on his path to becoming Australia’s most trust... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes23Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryTrue CrimeSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Sick to Death

Latest Episodes

Journalism's tradecraft and the work that goes on in newsrooms when a massive story is unfolding comes into sharp focus as Hedley catches up in Bundaberg with Toni Hoffman, the senior nurse who risked everything to talk to him about a killer surgeon.... more

As Hedley travels to the United States in hopes of a face-to-face interview with Jayant Patel, Geoff Davies delivers his findings to Premier Peter Beattie. The result is a multimillion-dollar cash injection into Queensland Health.

Plus, life goes ... more

Queenslanders are outraged when the Commission of Inquiry led by Tony Morris collapses following a successful court challenge by hospital administrators Peter Leck and Dr Darren Keating.

Premier Peter Beattie backflips on his promise to see the inq... more

In 1928 when Bundaberg was a small town with good prospects a decade after the end of the Great War, its popular GP Dr Ewing Thomson unleashed a medical disaster, accidentally killing 12 local children. From official records, Hedley and voice actors ... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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GUILTBrevity Studios

Recent Guests

Toni Hoffman
A nurse who worked at Bundaberg Hospital and spoke up against Dr. Jayant Patel's malpractice.
Episode: Episode 9: Mind Games
Dr. Peter Woodruff
Vice President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
Episode: Episode 9: Mind Games
Gordon Nuttall
Health Minister at the time.
Queensland Health
Episode: Episode 9: Mind Games
Jerry Fitzgerald
Chief Health Officer responsible for reviewing Dr. Patel's practices.
Queensland Health
Episode: Episode 9: Mind Games
Rob Messenger
Politician who initiated inquiries into Dr. Patel's practices.
Episode: Episode 9: Mind Games

Host

Hedley Thomas
Investigative journalist known for in-depth reporting on healthcare and public affairs.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 765 ratings
  • Too many names & details!

    Just as a previous reviewer posted, too wanted to “love” this podcast — because of my familiarity with much of Hedley Thomas’ other work, especially “The Teacher’s Pet & “IShandee’s Story”.

    However, although I listened all the way to the end, I never felt I understood the story, beyond the fact it concerned the totally disreputable, Dr Patel.

    I continually felt buried under all the names & details.😰

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    DEB401
    Canada15 days ago
  • Must listen

    A chilling and yet exciting chronicle of the scandal that took hold of Australia.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    H1717
    United Kingdom18 days ago
  • Entirely too much detail and wandering story line

    The key story itself is fascinating and important to tell, but the way this is told is NOT the right way for a podcast. It’s a narration of a book I would read and skim because of the excessive and unnecessary detail. This podcast could have been told in a strong and powerful 4-6 episode season.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    AAhonen
    United States18 days ago
  • Interesting

    It’s very good but a lot of the words are mispronounced ie memo etc

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    🐣😊
    Australia18 days ago
  • Incredibly interesting, but jumps about

    I’ve really enjoyed the podcast and I’m still listening, but it feels like we jump between time lines, eras and ‘main characters’ quite a lot. It’s not difficult to follow, but seems ill structured in places

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    AusKitKat
    Australia20 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Narration and reporting are praised for credibility, while occasional political slant is noted by a portion of listeners.
Pacing and structure receive mixed feedback; some praise depth, others wish for tighter editing.
Powerful storytelling that exposes systemic healthcare failures and courage of whistleblowers.
Broad, immersive journalism with a gripping true-crime through-line, though some listeners find the detail-heavy approach hard to follow.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#233
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#45
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#124
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#23
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#4
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#197
France/True Crime

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
InterestsProfessionsAge Range
Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Sick to Death

What is Sick to Death about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Long-form investigative storytelling centered on a high-profile medical malpractice case and the healthcare system surrounding it. Episodes thread together whistleblower accounts, patient harm, political and administrative responses, and a relentless pursuit of accountability, offering a detailed chronicle of how a surgeon's alleged negligence came to light and the institutions that struggled to respond. Notable features include firsthand nurse testimony, parliamentary exposure, and a royal commission backdrop, all conveyed with steady narration and thorough documentation that appeals to listeners who favor serious, research-driven true crime and policy-focused journalism.

Where can I find podcast stats for Sick to Death?

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How many listeners does Sick to Death get?

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What are the audience demographics for Sick to Death?

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How many subscribers and views does Sick to Death have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Sick to Death?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sick to Death:

1. Badge of Betrayal
2. Catching Evil
3. True Crime Conversations
4. Australian True Crime
5. GUILT

How many episodes of Sick to Death are there?

Sick to Death launched 5 months ago and published 23 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Sick to Death?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Sick to Death?

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What guests have appeared on Sick to Death?

Recent guests on Sick to Death include:

1. Toni Hoffman
2. Dr. Peter Woodruff
3. Gordon Nuttall
4. Jerry Fitzgerald
5. Rob Messenger

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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