The possibility St Vincent's Hospital attempted to cover up the NSW chemotherapy dosing scandal cannot be discounted, according to a damning report from a parliamentary inquiry.
The probe, which wrapped up in November, investigated the circumstances surrounding the actions of oncologist Dr John Grygiel, who was found to have given at least 129 cancer patients flat or significantly reduced doses of chemotherapy.
Despite coming to the hospital's attention in June 2015, the scandal did not come to light until February 2016, when many of the patients found out through media reports.
Related reading
Two stood down over SA chemo bungle
A copy of the report, obtained by the ABC, concluded "senior management put their public standing ahead of the best interests of their patients" as the saga unfolded.
"The committee is not able to discount the possibility of a cover-up on the part of St Vincent's Hospital," the leaked report says.
It cited elements of "individual and collective human error" along with "systemic failures".
The hospital did not escalate numerous concerns raised by staff for more than a decade and did not understand the seriousness of the issue, the document says.
Last year, St Vincent's Hospital group chief executive Toby Hall apologised to the committee and acknowledged senior staff failed to properly handle the issue.
"We underestimated the seriousness of the situation that was facing us," Mr Hall said at the time.
He rejected the suggestion St Vincent's tried to hide the facts, insisting senior staff always intended to disclose the underdosing to patients but failed to reach an agreed time.
The report will be tabled in parliament on Thursday.
