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Artwork for Sick to Death

Sick to Death

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

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 weeklyEpisodes25Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeDocumentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Sick to Death

Latest Episodes

From The Australian, this is The Flood. The true story of 60 Australian men and women trapped in a submarine deep under the Indian Ocean when an explosion threatens to sink the vessel and send its crew to the bottom.

After narrowly surviving a cata... more

From The Australian, this is The Flood. The true story of 60 Australian men and women trapped in a submarine deep under the Indian Ocean when an explosion threatens to sink the vessel and send its crew to the bottom.

Crippled by a seawater flood, t... more

From The Australian, this is The Flood. The true story of 60 Australian men and women trapped in a submarine deep under the Indian Ocean when an explosion threatens to sink the vessel and send its crew to the bottom.

In Episode 2: Shut all hull val... more

From The Australian, this is The Flood. The true story of 60 Australian men and women trapped in a submarine deep under the Indian Ocean when an explosion threatens to sink the vessel and send its crew to the bottom.

In Episode 1: Explosion, the co... 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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Recent Guests

Geordie Rocker Bunting
Submarine crew member who survived the flood
HMAS Deschanel crew
Episode: New Show: The Flood - EP2: Shut all hull valves
Greg Sullivan
Able Seaman in the engine room
Royal Australian Navy
Episode: New Show: The Flood - EP2: Shut all hull valves
Michael Morris
Petty Officer aiding in the rescue
Royal Australian Navy
Episode: New Show: The Flood - EP2: Shut all hull valves
John Ryan
Chief Engineer who evaluated the flood
Royal Australian Navy
Episode: New Show: The Flood - EP2: Shut all hull valves
Peter Scott
Commodore, submarine commander
Royal Australian Navy
Episode: New show: The Flood
Mike Deeks
Former Navy officer and submarine force commander
Royal Australian Navy
Episode: New show: The Flood
Dr Vijay Mehta
Former chief of thoracic and vascular surgery who commented on Patel's practice
Former Bundaberg Hospital surgeon, Texas-based context
Episode: Bonus Episode 5: The Last Word
Dr Ian Freckelton
Senior barrister involved in medical board actions and disciplinary proceedings
King's Counsel
Episode: Bonus Episode 5: The Last Word
Karina Berger
Journalist involved in reporting on Patel's case
The Australian / Sick to Death team
Episode: Bonus Episode 5: The Last Word

Host

Hedley Thomas
Host and lead investigative journalist focused on long-form, data-driven storytelling; frequently reports on medical scandals and systemic failures.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Too self satisfying

    Could be an interesting/riveting series but the breadth of unnecessary anecdotes and descriptors muddies the tension. The series feels like it’s just to show off journalistic skill, in reality it’s doing the opposite!

    Sorry Hedley it’s a no

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    aliche22594
    Australiaa month ago
  • Excellent

    Hedley Thomas is a fantastic storyteller. I have listened to all of his podcasts and they are among the best I have ever listened to. They are very thoughtful, through and compelling. Well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bella’s mom.
    United States2 months ago
  • Excellent

    Narration is flat without intonation, very slow paced. great piece tho

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Teon77
    United States3 months ago
  • It’s complicated…in a good way

    This is not a series you can just have on in the background because there’s so many moving parts. I was glued to my seat the entire time. Elements are perhaps a bit disjointed BUT, the entire Jayant Patel story is exactly that, so it is a podcast that delivers strong and aligns to the story and I’m very thankful for the awareness it has created. You can feel the emotions and time taken to deliver what I consider a podcast masterpiece.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ANDRE7S
    Australia3 months ago
  • So confusing

    I have tried listening to this podcast a few times now and have to give up after 4 episodes. It jumps around to different stories without any context. Includes information that isn’t relevant. It doesn’t represent The Australian well. Wondering if it was edited?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Alicia78RE
    Australia3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thorough investigative approach and patient-centered framing.
Many feel it delivers important reform-minded perspectives, though a minority find it slow or disjointed.
Some critique the length and tangents, but praise the depth of detail and storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#119
United Kingdom/True Crime
Spotify
#174
Australia/Trending
Apple Podcasts
#134
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#31
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#193
Italy/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#64
New Zealand/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bonus Episode 5: The Last Word
Q: How does the system need to change to prevent these situations in the future?
The guest suggests stronger registration processes, ongoing oversight, and more robust regulatory action to hold institutions and individuals accountable without relying solely on criminal prosecutions.
Bonus Episode 5: The Last Word
Q: Why is it so difficult to prosecute doctors criminally when outcomes are severe but not necessarily the result of intentional harm?
The guest explains the high evidentiary standard for criminal negligence, and notes regulatory and professional dynamics often make it hard to prove intent or gross negligence beyond reasonable doubt.
Bonus Episode 5: The Last Word
Q: I'd really love to sit down and interview you and chat about the events in Bundaberg in the early 2000s.
The guest responds with reluctance to revisit past criticisms, emphasizing a focus on accountability and learning from history rather than reopening old wounds.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Sick to Death

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

Investigative, long-form reporting focused on a high-profile medical scandal, exposing systemic failures, whistleblower courage, and the interplay between healthcare oversight, media, and politics. Across episodes, the narrative centers on patient harm, regulatory responses, legal battles, and reform efforts at Bundaberg Hospital and Queensland Health, with voices from nurses, doctors, journalists, and policymakers. Noteworthy is the meticulous archival approach, the emphasis on accountability from multiple institutions, and the recurring thread of courage from whistleblowers who challenged institutional silence.

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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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. Unravel
2. Bronwyn
3. The Case Of
4. Catching Evil
5. True Crime Conversations

How many episodes of Sick to Death are there?

Sick to Death launched 9 months ago and published 25 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. Geordie Rocker Bunting
2. Greg Sullivan
3. Michael Morris
4. John Ryan
5. Peter Scott
6. Mike Deeks
7. Dr Vijay Mehta
8. Dr Ian Freckelton

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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