South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill is "horrified" at the way the government has treated cancer patients who received incorrect chemotherapy doses.
Undisclosed payouts have been offered to 10 patients under-dosed at two Adelaide hospitals between July 2014 and January last year because of a typographical error.
Mr Weatherill on Wednesday told 5AA radio that the department managing compensation was meant to deal with the issue generously and promptly.
But he was horrified to learn that the government appeared to be "swinging the lead" over compensation payments and treating people "like they've just gone A over T at a government office".
"If you've got somebody that's facing a life-threatening circumstance, then you get cracking," Mr Weatherill said.
Patients have been advised to seek independent legal advice, which will be funded by the government, before accepting the payments.
They have also be offered individual support including counselling, transport and occupational therapy.
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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