Doctor investigating Sandipan Dhar’s hospital death ‘didn’t see relevance’ of friendship with Ramsay boss

A doctor who has a close friendship with the boss of a hospital service where she investigated two shocking paediatric cases says she “didn’t understand” why it was raised as a potential conflict of interest. ASX-listed Ramsay Health Care appointed Christa Bell, a senior paediatric emergency physician from Gold Coast University Hospital, to lead an external review in the wake of Sandipan Dhar’s death at Joondalup Health Campus in March last year. The 21-month-old died from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, two days after being denied blood tests that would have detected the cancer, which is often curable if found early. The review also examined 10-year-old Olivia Bakranich-Fowler’s misdiagnosed snake bite two months later. On the eve of Sandipan’s inquest this week, The West Australian revealed that Dr Bell is a long-time friend of Ramsay Australia chief executive Carmel Monaghan. Their relationship is close enough that they go on holidays abroad together with their families and post birthday well-wishes to each other on social media. “But because it was raised, we’re attempting to deal with it,” he said. Dr Bell agreed in her testimony, via videolink, that she was “very good friends” with Ms Monaghan. “I don’t understand the relevance,” she added. “I am very confident that it has no bearing on my ability to manage my personal and professional lives. “I can compartmentalise.” Mr Donaldson stressed the friendship was known, with Dr Bell saying she disclosed it clearly to Ramsay State manager Shane Kelly. But Sandipan’s father Sanjoy said he was not told — even when he invited Dr Bell into his family home — and felt “betrayed again.” The lack of disclosure was not the way “to get our trust back,” he told the court. Coroner Sarah Linton told Dr Bell that the matter was being ventilated “for the sake of the family” and no criticism was intended, but she had “learnt the hard way” to anticipate apprehended bias in future. Dr Bell apologised to Mr Dhar. “I deeply regret the hurt that perception has caused,” she said. Mr Dhar is also outraged that doctors and nurses who saw Sandipan were not re-interviewed for the review, with Ms Linton confirming the panel “accepted the factual scenario” in Ramsay’s initial “SAC1” report for WA Health. The grieving father said the panel was “quite aware” he and his wife Saraswati had already rejected that earlier report. The coroner said she understood the Dhar’s concerns but was satisfied the external investigators had appropriately applied their minds to the task.