South Australia's health minister hopes "substantial" compensation payments will help cancer patients who received incorrect chemotherapy treatment.
The government has offered undisclosed payouts to 10 patients who were under-dosed at two Adelaide hospitals between July 2014 and January last year because of a typographical error.
"This has been a serious failure in clinical governance. Patients need to feel safe when they're treated in our health system," Health Minister Jack Snelling told parliament on Tuesday.
Patients have been advised to seek independent legal advice, which will be funded by the government, before accepting the payments.
They have also been offered individual support, including counselling, transport and occupational therapy, Mr Snelling said.
Eight clinicians have been referred to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) over the bungle.
AHPRA will report its findings to the Medical Board of Australia, which could take disciplinary action - including suspension or deregistration - if adverse conduct is discovered.
An inquiry also found staff at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre failed to disclose the mistakes to patients or management.
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