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Artwork for Sick to Death

Sick to Death

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

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 weeklyEpisodes24Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureTrue Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Sick to Death

Latest Episodes

This final episode of the Sick To Death podcast series unpacks the remaining rollercoaster ride in the Dr Jayant Patel saga.

Patel's fight within the criminal justice system goes high and low, marked by a successful appeal to the High Court of Aust... more

The story of Dr Jayant Patel and others involved in the saga surrounding his two-year tenure at the Bundaberg Base Hospital was far from over when Hedley Thomas emailed the manuscript for his book Sick To Death in late 2006. Two bonus episodes of the... more

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

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

Toni Hoffman
Intensive care nurse and advocate who spoke on Patel's case
Patient advocate (Bundaberg Hospital case)
Episode: Bonus Episode 5: The Last Word
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
Beryl Crosby
Bundaberg local and patient advocate who spoke out about Patel
Patel case advocacy
Episode: Bonus Episode 4: The Waiting Game
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 871 ratings
  • Excellent

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Teon77
    United States17 days 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
    Australia19 days 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
    Australia24 days ago
  • Dragged on

    Really good initially then just went on and on and on, tangential and boring

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Apple user48384
    Australiaa month ago
  • 22 eps for more Harvey Norman ads

    As usual with Hedley he dots his i’s and crosses his T’s as a journalist but I didn’t enjoy this podcast as much as some of his others. This podcast is so drawn out and feels like it should’ve been 12-15 episodes instead of 22. Almost feels like they drew it out as much as they could to get more plugs for Harvey Norman in with digressions from the main narrative Thomas also inserts himself and his political bias too much into this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Patmanpato
    Australiaa month 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
#80
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#201
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#68
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#19
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#122
Italy/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#48
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?

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.

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

How many episodes of Sick to Death are there?

Sick to Death launched 7 months ago and published 24 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 Vijay Mehta
3. Dr Ian Freckelton
4. Karina Berger
5. Beryl Crosby
6. Dr. Peter Woodruff
7. Gordon Nuttall
8. Jerry Fitzgerald

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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