The Victorian Government has announced an overhaul of the state’s health services after a damning report found a number of baby deaths at a hospital north-west of Melbourne were potentially avoidable.

The review found 11 cases of potentially avoidable newborn and stillborn deaths at the Bacchus Marsh hospital, which is operated by Djerriwarrh Health Services.

The review also found the Department of Health failed to provide adequate oversight of quality and patient safety over the past 10 years, and staff cuts and a lack of monitoring resulted in problems being overlooked.

All case notes have been handed to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for investigation.

– TiVi Tuan-san