Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

More problems with prostate tests in SA

More problems have emerged with tests for prostate cancer patients in South Australia after nearly 70 men were incorrectly referred to a specialist.

More problems have emerged over tests for prostate cancer in South Australia with new revelations 68 patients were incorrectly referred to a urologist.

SA Health says the patients were tested between March and April this year and while their tests results were correct, a comment that they be referred to a urologist should not have been included.

The correct course of action for these patients should have been retesting in six to 12 months, chief medical officer Paddy Phillips said on Thursday.

Professor Phillips said the comment under the result was automatically generated and did not match the required action.

"As soon as we became aware of this issue we have taken steps to determine the patients impacted and we're contacting each of their referring doctors today," he said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise for any concern, inconvenience or confusion this error may have caused to patients or their doctors."

Prof Phillips said the report coding error had been corrected.

The latest issue follows admissions earlier this week that 100 men had received false positive results for prostate cancer in tests conducted by SA Pathology.

Health Minister Jack Snelling has ordered an independent review into the bungle and was angry that he only heard about the errors when contacted by the media.

The SA opposition has called for a wider judicial review into SA Health, suggesting the latest issue shows systemic problems within the department.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world