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(BREATHES LABORIOUSLY)
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(BREATHES LABORIOUSLY)
REPORTER: Everybody feels pain,
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REPORTER: Everybody feels pain,
4
00:00:19,300 --> 00:00:23,340
but more than three million
Australians are prisoners of it,
5
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but more than three million
desperate for relief.
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desperate for relief.
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(GROANS)
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It's spawned an industry
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that's become a breeding ground
It's spawned an industry
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that's become a breeding ground
for exploitation.
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JASON PARKER:
You're desperate, you need help,
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00:00:35,580 --> 00:00:38,540
they offer you desperate solutions,
and you take them.
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TERESA BURBERY:
He said, "Look, we do believe
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"that this would improve your
pain levels by about 60% to 70%."
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And I heard that and I thought,
"My God, that's lifechanging."
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DAVID IZARD: We just saw that ray
of light and thought, "You beauty."
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But it was just a train that
came down and whacked us so hard.
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MARGARET FAUX:
Someone comes along and says,
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"Trust me, I'm a doctor,
I'll take your pain away,"
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"Trust me, I'm a doctor,
you would believe them.
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you would believe them.
22
00:01:02,460 --> 00:01:06,500
Australians spend
more than $3 billion a year
23
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trying to treat chronic back pain.
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It's become an epidemic.
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MARGARET FAUX: The pain industry
is a huge profitable business
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MARGARET FAUX: The pain industry
that everybody's in.
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that everybody's in.
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So, you've got anaesthetist,
that everybody's in.
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So, you've got anaesthetist,
surgeons, pain specialists, GPs,
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and then in addition
you've got drug companies,
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and then in addition
you've got device companies.
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you've got device companies.
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It's leaving a trail of misery,
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with some patients
ending up in worse pain,
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with some patients
some suffering paralysis,
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some suffering paralysis,
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even death.
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It was always just another surgery,
another surgery, another surgery.
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It was always just another surgery,
I feel like a lab rat.
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I feel like a lab rat.
41
00:01:43,580 --> 00:01:46,380
"If this doesn't work,
well, we'll try this."
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Or "That didn't work.
We'll go a bit more invasive."
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Or "That didn't work.
IAN HARRIS: There's a correlation
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IAN HARRIS: There's a correlation
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00:01:51,380 --> 00:01:54,100
between financial reward
for doing procedures
46
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and the frequency
at which those procedures are done.
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The pain sector has no idea
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00:02:00,820 --> 00:02:04,900
we've got access
to their medical billing data.
49
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And we've sent it
to international fraud investigators
50
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and a team of leading
Australian healthcare experts.
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I was very startled
by those findings.
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I was very startled
It really profoundly shocked me.
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It really profoundly shocked me.
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IAN HARRIS: If it was policed
in any kind of way,
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then you would find
an immediate change.
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then you would find
What shocked you most?
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What shocked you most?
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The size of the problem.
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We'll reveal
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how some medical professionals
are draining our health system.
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There's some obvious cowboys out
there. Unfortunately, we met one.
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We look inside
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the multi-billion-dollar
pain industry
We look inside
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the multi-billion-dollar
pain industry
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and expose the ugly side of medicine.
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and expose the ugly side of medicine.
Patients' lives are being put at risk
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Patients' lives are being put at risk
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and the regulator
is failing to do its job.
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TERESA BURBERY:
The first words I heard
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was my specialist
standing over me saying,
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"I'm so sorry, Teresa.
was my specialist
standing over me saying,
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"I'm so sorry, Teresa.
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"I'm so sorry, Teresa."
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He said it about three times.
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He said it about three times.
"I'm so sorry,
I've struck your spinal-cord."
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"I'm so sorry,
I've struck your spinal-cord."
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Teresa Burbery's minor procedure
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turned into a major
medical incident.
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00:03:42,940 --> 00:03:46,060
I still didn't understand
that my leg was paralysed
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I still didn't understand
because nobody actually said that.
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because nobody actually said that.
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Nobody told me what was going on.
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(EXHALES HEAVILY)
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Every day I wake up and
the first thing I see is my chair
85
00:04:03,980 --> 00:04:06,220
because it's plugged in
next to my bed.
86
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I open my eyes and it's there,
87
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and then I recognise the pain,
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and sometimes the pain's
the first thing to wake me up.
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And I look at that chair
and I say,
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"Alright,
we've got to do this again today."
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00:04:26,940 --> 00:04:31,980
Teresa underwent an operation
for a spinal-cord stimulator
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after she was hit by a car,
leaving her with hip pain.
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The medical device
is implanted in patients' backs.
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It sends electrical impulses
into the spinal-cord to relieve pain.
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Her doctor at a private pain clinic
said it would help ease her pain.
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The very first time I sat
in his office and had a consult
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he immediately suggested,
98
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"Have you thought about a spinal
cord stimulator implant device?"
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"Have you thought about a spinal
So, this was the first consultation?
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00:05:05,460 --> 00:05:07,100
So, this was the first consultation?
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This was the very first.
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And I remember thinking,
This was the very first.
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And I remember thinking,
"My God, that's lifechanging.
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"That's me being able
to go running again.
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00:05:15,140 --> 00:05:18,940
"That's me being able
to be completely drug-free."
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"That's me being able
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
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(BREATHES HEAVILY)
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Teresa says her pain specialist
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
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Teresa says her pain specialist
played down the risks.
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He actually said to me,
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"Nothing ever really goes wrong
He actually said to me,
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"Nothing ever really goes wrong
with this procedure.
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"Nothing ever really goes wrong
"It's really safe."
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"It's really safe."
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It's left me...
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..in worse pain
than I could ever have imagined.
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I've been left with constant fire
pain on my left leg and left side.
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So, I've got a whole new area
of pain and it doesn't stop.
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I've still got
that niggly right hip from before,
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but, funnily enough, that feels
like a drop in the ocean these days
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because the pain, that entire area,
like, it's just on fire now.
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And in terms of before you went in
to get the stimulator,
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you were saying you were on 20
to 30 milligrams of painkillers.
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What sort of medication
are you on now?
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What sort of medication
100 milligrams.
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100 milligrams.
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Just to make it through the day.
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Nobody tells you
that paralysis means
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you won't feel anything,
that paralysis means
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you won't feel anything,
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you won't feel any temperature,
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you know, no hot, cold, no touch,
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you know, no hot, cold, no touch,
but all you'll feel is pain.
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but all you'll feel is pain.
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You'll lose control
of your proper bowel functions.
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You'll lose proper bladder function.
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You'll lose sexual function.
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Those things are all gone.
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Where is that in the warnings? Where
is that in the information provided?
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Research on spinal-cord stimulators
is mixed.
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00:07:16,660 --> 00:07:19,220
There's a lack
credible scientific evidence
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00:07:19,220 --> 00:07:19,460
as a treatment for chronic pain.
There's a lack
credible scientific evidence
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as a treatment for chronic pain.
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Independent research even describes
them as no better than a placebo.
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Independent research even describes
them as no better than a placebo.
Leading orthopaedic surgeon
Professor Ian Harris agrees.
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00:07:26,900 --> 00:07:31,300
Leading orthopaedic surgeon
Professor Ian Harris agrees.
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00:07:31,300 --> 00:07:34,420
He co-wrote a review on them
last year.
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The conclusion is that they're
no more effective than placebo.
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The conclusion is that they're
So, there's uncertainty,
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00:07:37,780 --> 00:07:39,700
So, there's uncertainty,
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00:07:39,700 --> 00:07:39,940
and when we have uncertainty,
So, there's uncertainty,
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and when we have uncertainty,
we have practice variation.
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And the reason
why there's uncertainty
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is because there's no good evidence
that they actually work
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00:07:47,580 --> 00:07:48,980
compared to NOT doing it.
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00:07:51,980 --> 00:07:56,020
Almost 90%
of spinal-cord-stimulator procedures
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Almost 90%
are done in private hospitals.
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are done in private hospitals.
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They can cost up to $58,000.
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CHRIS HAYES: In the private system
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00:08:04,380 --> 00:08:04,580
as it exists at the moment,
CHRIS HAYES: In the private system
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00:08:04,580 --> 00:08:05,980
as it exists at the moment,
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I believe there is pressure
to do that
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00:08:08,340 --> 00:08:11,700
just to keep the wheels
of the system rolling, so to speak.
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00:08:11,700 --> 00:08:11,980
just to keep the wheels
of the system rolling, so to speak.
There is pressure to fill beds,
to fill operation lists.
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00:08:11,980 --> 00:08:15,420
There is pressure to fill beds,
to fill operation lists.
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00:08:15,420 --> 00:08:15,660
The more you get paid for procedure
There is pressure to fill beds,
to fill operation lists.
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The more you get paid for procedure
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the more likely it is
that that procedure will be done.
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Tens of thousands
of spinal-cord stimulators
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00:08:25,140 --> 00:08:25,380
Tens of thousands
are implanted globally each year.
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00:08:25,380 --> 00:08:28,020
are implanted globally each year.
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00:08:28,020 --> 00:08:30,620
Thousands end up in Australia.
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Success stories drive demand.
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SONG: # I can lick it
I can ride it
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# While you slip it
and slide it... #
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# While you slip it
and slide it... #
(HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS)
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(HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS)
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They're marketed
as safe and effective.
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00:08:46,500 --> 00:08:50,180
(ROCK MUSIC PLAYS)
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But behind the spin
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lies a global medical device industry
183
00:08:54,660 --> 00:08:57,900
making a fortune out of Australia.
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(INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE)
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00:08:58,980 --> 00:09:02,420
They actually described our country
as 'Treasure Island'.
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00:09:03,540 --> 00:09:08,740
This is an extremely lucrative
procedure
187
00:09:08,740 --> 00:09:11,620
for a number of people
in the sector.
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00:09:11,620 --> 00:09:11,900
for a number of people
in the sector.
Whether it's the pain specialist,
the pain clinic
189
00:09:11,900 --> 00:09:15,300
Whether it's the pain specialist,
the pain clinic
190
00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:19,700
or the multinational
big device companies,
191
00:09:19,700 --> 00:09:20,980
they all benefit.
192
00:09:23,300 --> 00:09:26,900
Teresa is one
of a growing number of Australians
193
00:09:26,900 --> 00:09:29,660
living with
spinal surgery gone wrong.
194
00:09:32,020 --> 00:09:35,100
TERESA BURBERY: When I encounter
people out in public
195
00:09:35,100 --> 00:09:37,860
and they tell me...
or they straight up ask me,
196
00:09:37,860 --> 00:09:38,100
and they tell me...
"What happened to you?"
197
00:09:38,100 --> 00:09:39,780
"What happened to you?"
198
00:09:39,780 --> 00:09:40,020
I feel a sense of responsibility
to share with them the full story.
"What happened to you?"
199
00:09:40,020 --> 00:09:45,580
I feel a sense of responsibility
to share with them the full story.
200
00:09:45,580 --> 00:09:45,860
I feel a sense of responsibility
to share with them the full story.
But I'm also absolutely terrified
to tell them that a doctor did this,
201
00:09:45,860 --> 00:09:50,380
But I'm also absolutely terrified
to tell them that a doctor did this,
202
00:09:50,380 --> 00:09:50,620
But I'm also absolutely terrified
a doctor did this to me...
203
00:09:50,620 --> 00:09:52,340
a doctor did this to me...
204
00:09:53,420 --> 00:09:57,740
..and their whole world, their whole
belief system comes crashing down.
205
00:10:00,420 --> 00:10:04,420
Money and medicine
make uncomfortable bedfellows,
206
00:10:04,420 --> 00:10:08,340
where profit is sometimes
put ahead of the patient.
207
00:10:08,340 --> 00:10:10,860
OPERATOR: (ON PHONE)
Emergency services.
208
00:10:10,860 --> 00:10:14,300
ANNE MYERS: (ON PHONE) It's my
husband, he's in massive pain.
209
00:10:14,300 --> 00:10:14,540
ANNE MYERS: (ON PHONE) It's my
He's 55.
210
00:10:14,540 --> 00:10:15,980
He's 55.
211
00:10:15,980 --> 00:10:17,180
Ohh...
212
00:10:17,180 --> 00:10:19,140
He's in terrible pain.
213
00:10:19,140 --> 00:10:22,900
This audio is the ambulance call
Anne Myers made
214
00:10:22,900 --> 00:10:26,700
when she thought
her husband, Gordon, was dying.
215
00:10:27,660 --> 00:10:30,300
He was, like,
on a rollercoaster of pain
216
00:10:30,300 --> 00:10:30,540
and he would be in so much pain
He was, like,
on a rollercoaster of pain
217
00:10:30,540 --> 00:10:33,220
and he would be in so much pain
218
00:10:33,220 --> 00:10:33,460
that, you know,
and he would be in so much pain
219
00:10:33,460 --> 00:10:37,180
that, you know,
I've had to call several ambulances
220
00:10:37,180 --> 00:10:37,420
that, you know,
I've had to call several ambulances
to take him to hospital
221
00:10:37,420 --> 00:10:38,820
to take him to hospital
222
00:10:38,820 --> 00:10:40,620
'cause he had so much chest pain.
223
00:10:41,580 --> 00:10:48,180
Gordon Myers has been living in hell
since a workplace accident in 2007.
224
00:10:50,740 --> 00:10:52,940
What sort of pain are you in?
225
00:10:53,780 --> 00:10:55,660
GORDON MYERS: I've got nerve pain.
226
00:10:55,660 --> 00:10:59,620
And it's every day I don't know
when that pain's going to hit me.
227
00:11:01,620 --> 00:11:04,900
I get a lot of...
228
00:11:04,900 --> 00:11:08,340
..tingling down my spine
229
00:11:08,340 --> 00:11:08,540
..tingling down my spine
right down my feet.
230
00:11:08,540 --> 00:11:10,820
right down my feet.
231
00:11:10,820 --> 00:11:13,020
I get.... When it gets really bad,
232
00:11:13,020 --> 00:11:18,700
my body feels
as though I'm having tremors.
233
00:11:20,100 --> 00:11:25,900
Gordon's pain specialist
recommended a spinal-cord stimulator.
234
00:11:25,900 --> 00:11:29,660
He was in more pain when he got home
than he had before,
235
00:11:29,660 --> 00:11:29,900
He was in more pain when he got home
plus the medication and...
236
00:11:29,900 --> 00:11:31,900
plus the medication and...
237
00:11:31,900 --> 00:11:33,820
Well, the first thing that I noticed
238
00:11:33,820 --> 00:11:37,220
was that the thing was heating up
inside me when I was charging
239
00:11:37,220 --> 00:11:39,260
and it was giving me
electric shocks.
240
00:11:39,260 --> 00:11:44,860
I woke up flying through the air
out of bed
241
00:11:44,860 --> 00:11:47,220
and it nearly threw me
out the bedroom window
242
00:11:47,220 --> 00:11:50,540
and I had to use all my strength
not to go through the glass window.
243
00:11:51,940 --> 00:11:53,900
He did say to me many, many times,
244
00:11:53,900 --> 00:11:54,140
"Get a knife and cut this thing out.
He did say to me many, many times,
245
00:11:54,140 --> 00:11:56,540
"Get a knife and cut this thing out.
I can't stand it."
246
00:11:56,540 --> 00:11:56,780
"Get a knife and cut this thing out.
Yeah.
247
00:11:56,780 --> 00:11:57,580
Yeah.
248
00:11:59,340 --> 00:12:02,700
And this is what it did
to Gordon's back.
249
00:12:04,060 --> 00:12:05,500
Felt like third-degree burns...
Yeah.
250
00:12:05,500 --> 00:12:06,980
Yeah.
..on my back.
251
00:12:06,980 --> 00:12:09,460
So, he got it removed.
252
00:12:11,620 --> 00:12:14,900
Four Corners
has obtained exclusive data
253
00:12:14,900 --> 00:12:15,140
Four Corners
which shows how frequently
254
00:12:15,140 --> 00:12:17,020
which shows how frequently
255
00:12:17,020 --> 00:12:18,660
spinal-cord stimulators
256
00:12:18,660 --> 00:12:22,140
require patients
to go back into an operating theatre.
257
00:12:23,100 --> 00:12:28,820
Dr Rachel David has access
to Australia's private health data
258
00:12:28,820 --> 00:12:32,300
as the CEO
representing private health funds.
259
00:12:32,300 --> 00:12:32,580
So, for spinal-cord stimulators,
we looked at 6,000 people,
as the CEO
representing private health funds.
260
00:12:32,580 --> 00:12:36,060
So, for spinal-cord stimulators,
we looked at 6,000 people,
261
00:12:36,060 --> 00:12:36,300
So, for spinal-cord stimulators,
and within a three-year window
262
00:12:36,300 --> 00:12:38,220
and within a three-year window
263
00:12:38,220 --> 00:12:42,580
41% came back for more surgery,
264
00:12:42,580 --> 00:12:42,780
41% came back for more surgery,
whether that was another implant
265
00:12:42,780 --> 00:12:44,620
whether that was another implant
266
00:12:44,620 --> 00:12:48,220
or something went wrong
with that original procedure.
267
00:12:48,220 --> 00:12:51,500
If you compare that
to hip replacement,
268
00:12:51,500 --> 00:12:57,060
only 2.7% of patients come back
within a three-year window.
269
00:12:57,060 --> 00:12:57,300
only 2.7% of patients come back
41% is astonishingly high.
270
00:12:57,300 --> 00:13:00,820
41% is astonishingly high.
271
00:13:01,780 --> 00:13:03,380
GORDON MYERS:
I feel like a piece of shit
272
00:13:03,380 --> 00:13:04,620
that's sitting in the garbage bin
273
00:13:04,620 --> 00:13:07,300
waiting to be picked up
by the garbo drivers.
274
00:13:07,300 --> 00:13:07,540
waiting to be picked up
Mm.
275
00:13:07,540 --> 00:13:08,500
Mm.
276
00:13:08,500 --> 00:13:11,300
Doesn't make you feel very human.
277
00:13:12,380 --> 00:13:13,380
Mm.
278
00:13:13,380 --> 00:13:14,940
It's probably the best one -
279
00:13:14,940 --> 00:13:17,140
they don't make you feel human.
280
00:13:18,460 --> 00:13:20,420
If that makes sense.
281
00:13:26,660 --> 00:13:29,860
It's not just spinal-cord
stimulators.
282
00:13:29,860 --> 00:13:32,820
Spinal fusion
is another popular procedure
283
00:13:32,820 --> 00:13:33,060
for treating chronic back pain.
is another popular procedure
284
00:13:33,060 --> 00:13:35,300
for treating chronic back pain.
285
00:13:35,300 --> 00:13:38,380
The private health system
does the majority of them.
286
00:13:40,300 --> 00:13:45,060
That's where grandmother of three
Trudi King had hers done.
287
00:13:46,500 --> 00:13:49,260
TRUDI KING: That's all I wanted,
to live a pain-free life,
288
00:13:49,260 --> 00:13:50,780
which we all want,
289
00:13:50,780 --> 00:13:52,860
because the pain and the drugs,
290
00:13:52,860 --> 00:13:54,860
taking all those tablets
291
00:13:54,860 --> 00:13:56,540
and the morphine,
292
00:13:56,540 --> 00:13:58,300
it was just getting too much.
293
00:13:58,300 --> 00:14:02,940
It was the specialist
who actually suggested the surgery.
294
00:14:03,900 --> 00:14:05,100
Hi, everyone.
295
00:14:05,100 --> 00:14:07,940
This is a video
taken moments after she woke up
296
00:14:07,940 --> 00:14:08,180
This is a video
from the first surgery in 2021.
297
00:14:08,180 --> 00:14:10,780
from the first surgery in 2021.
298
00:14:20,140 --> 00:14:23,020
What was going through your head?
I was terrified.
299
00:14:23,020 --> 00:14:23,300
What was going through your head?
I was terrified.
I didn't understand
why I couldn't move my feet,
300
00:14:23,300 --> 00:14:26,780
I didn't understand
why I couldn't move my feet,
301
00:14:26,780 --> 00:14:29,460
and no-one really...
the doctor didn't come and see me,
302
00:14:29,460 --> 00:14:29,740
and no-one really...
the doctor didn't come and see me,
so, no-one really told me
what was going on.
303
00:14:29,740 --> 00:14:32,420
so, no-one really told me
what was going on.
304
00:14:34,300 --> 00:14:37,100
There were serious complications.
305
00:14:39,620 --> 00:14:42,860
Totally in ICU, unconscious,
did not wake up.
306
00:14:42,860 --> 00:14:46,740
Trudi was in a coma
for almost three weeks,
307
00:14:46,740 --> 00:14:48,780
and when she finally
left the hospital
308
00:14:48,780 --> 00:14:49,020
and when she finally
she couldn't walk.
309
00:14:49,020 --> 00:14:50,580
she couldn't walk.
310
00:14:50,580 --> 00:14:50,820
I've got three grandbabies
she couldn't walk.
311
00:14:50,820 --> 00:14:53,140
I've got three grandbabies
under five
312
00:14:53,140 --> 00:14:55,860
and I can't play with 'em
like I want to...
313
00:14:55,860 --> 00:14:58,060
Now it's like,
"Nanny's always sick,"
314
00:14:58,060 --> 00:14:58,300
Now it's like,
or "Nanny's sick."
315
00:14:58,300 --> 00:14:59,980
or "Nanny's sick."
316
00:14:59,980 --> 00:15:01,580
You know, I'm not the healthy nana
317
00:15:01,580 --> 00:15:03,540
I always pictured
that I would be with them.
318
00:15:03,540 --> 00:15:03,780
I always pictured
Ohh!
319
00:15:03,780 --> 00:15:04,820
Ohh!
320
00:15:05,780 --> 00:15:07,980
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
321
00:15:07,980 --> 00:15:11,420
(GROANS, GRUNTS)
322
00:15:11,420 --> 00:15:13,820
(WHIMPERS)
323
00:15:13,820 --> 00:15:15,140
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
324
00:15:15,140 --> 00:15:17,020
I think if I could get
my hands on the surgeon,
325
00:15:17,020 --> 00:15:20,020
I'd like to just say to him,
"What the hell did you do?"
326
00:15:23,060 --> 00:15:28,140
Spinal fusion involves joining two or
more bones in the spine permanently
327
00:15:28,140 --> 00:15:28,380
Spinal fusion involves joining two or
to prevent movement between them.
328
00:15:28,380 --> 00:15:30,660
to prevent movement between them.
329
00:15:30,660 --> 00:15:33,940
Trudi had three bones fused together
330
00:15:33,940 --> 00:15:37,540
she says
after scans found disk degeneration.
331
00:15:39,700 --> 00:15:43,980
Professor Ian Harris says an MRI
will pick up abnormalities
332
00:15:43,980 --> 00:15:47,260
on most people over 40.
333
00:15:47,260 --> 00:15:47,500
on most people over 40.
IAN HARRIS:
They'll find degenerative changes
334
00:15:47,500 --> 00:15:49,260
IAN HARRIS:
They'll find degenerative changes
335
00:15:49,260 --> 00:15:51,500
and dehydrated discs
and bulging discs,
336
00:15:51,500 --> 00:15:53,460
and, so,
there's plenty of diagnoses.
337
00:15:53,460 --> 00:15:53,740
The more things you find the more
likely it is that you'll end up
and, so,
there's plenty of diagnoses.
338
00:15:53,740 --> 00:15:56,780
The more things you find the more
likely it is that you'll end up
339
00:15:56,780 --> 00:15:59,580
with somebody wanting to treat
340
00:15:59,580 --> 00:15:59,780
with somebody wanting to treat
or 'correct' that abnormality
341
00:15:59,780 --> 00:16:02,740
or 'correct' that abnormality
342
00:16:02,740 --> 00:16:05,580
even though
correcting that abnormality
343
00:16:05,580 --> 00:16:05,820
even though
might not help the patient
344
00:16:05,820 --> 00:16:07,300
might not help the patient
345
00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:07,540
because it might not be associated
might not help the patient
346
00:16:07,540 --> 00:16:10,340
because it might not be associated
with their pain.
347
00:16:11,300 --> 00:16:13,780
RACHEL DAVID: There is a small place
for spinal fusion
348
00:16:13,780 --> 00:16:14,060
for people
who might've broken their back
RACHEL DAVID: There is a small place
for spinal fusion
349
00:16:14,060 --> 00:16:16,700
for people
who might've broken their back
350
00:16:16,700 --> 00:16:19,100
or had a serious
congenital deformity
351
00:16:19,100 --> 00:16:19,340
or had a serious
where their back is...
352
00:16:19,340 --> 00:16:21,260
where their back is...
353
00:16:21,260 --> 00:16:21,500
where their back is...
..is simply not able
to function properly.
354
00:16:21,500 --> 00:16:24,140
..is simply not able
to function properly.
355
00:16:24,140 --> 00:16:24,380
..is simply not able
But for back pain
356
00:16:24,380 --> 00:16:26,020
But for back pain
357
00:16:26,020 --> 00:16:26,260
we're seeing that spinal fusion
But for back pain
358
00:16:26,260 --> 00:16:29,860
we're seeing that spinal fusion
is a very expensive procedure
359
00:16:29,860 --> 00:16:34,420
that for a number of people
just simply does not get results.
360
00:16:36,420 --> 00:16:40,260
A rising number of health researchers
from around the world
361
00:16:40,260 --> 00:16:42,940
have been questioning
the benefits of spinal fusion
362
00:16:42,940 --> 00:16:43,180
have been questioning
to treat chronic back pain for years.
363
00:16:43,180 --> 00:16:46,300
to treat chronic back pain for years.
364
00:16:46,300 --> 00:16:48,940
Professor Harris is one of them.
365
00:16:48,940 --> 00:16:51,940
IAN HARRIS: There's only
been a handful of trials,
366
00:16:51,940 --> 00:16:53,180
and those trials,
when put together,
367
00:16:53,180 --> 00:16:56,100
don't show a clear benefit
of surgery.
368
00:16:56,100 --> 00:16:59,420
Some surgeons are very unlikely
to recommend the procedure.
369
00:16:59,420 --> 00:17:02,380
So, when we get practice variation
like that,
370
00:17:02,380 --> 00:17:05,420
it tells us that someone's wrong,
371
00:17:05,420 --> 00:17:07,420
that we need more science
in medicine.
372
00:17:07,420 --> 00:17:07,660
that we need more science
Unfortunately, it's too easy for us.
373
00:17:07,660 --> 00:17:10,180
Unfortunately, it's too easy for us.
374
00:17:10,180 --> 00:17:12,420
Because doctors
have been put in a position
375
00:17:12,420 --> 00:17:14,380
where we make all the decisions,
376
00:17:14,380 --> 00:17:21,100
it's too easy for us
to let these other incentives
377
00:17:21,100 --> 00:17:21,340
it's too easy for us
influence our decision-making
378
00:17:21,340 --> 00:17:23,140
influence our decision-making
379
00:17:23,140 --> 00:17:23,380
and it's too easy for us
influence our decision-making
380
00:17:23,380 --> 00:17:26,860
and it's too easy for us
just to rely on our own observation.
381
00:17:27,820 --> 00:17:32,740
Private hospitals
do more than 70% of spinal fusions.
382
00:17:32,740 --> 00:17:33,020
Private hospitals
do more than 70% of spinal fusions.
Private hospitals
literally work on turnover.
383
00:17:33,020 --> 00:17:36,460
Private hospitals
literally work on turnover.
384
00:17:36,460 --> 00:17:37,700
That's how they make their money.
385
00:17:37,700 --> 00:17:39,980
And many of them
are for-profit organisations, so...
386
00:17:39,980 --> 00:17:42,500
When you say 'turnover',
what do you mean?
387
00:17:42,500 --> 00:17:43,860
Medical activity,
388
00:17:43,860 --> 00:17:46,980
so, whether that be procedures,
389
00:17:46,980 --> 00:17:50,380
drugs, other interventions.
390
00:17:50,380 --> 00:17:55,020
It drives over treatment
because that's what's measured.
391
00:17:55,020 --> 00:17:59,980
You know, "How many knee
replacements were done last year?"
392
00:17:59,980 --> 00:18:01,460
"Is that enough?
Should we be doing more?"
393
00:18:02,420 --> 00:18:05,460
I get paid to do an operation,
394
00:18:05,460 --> 00:18:05,700
and, so, there's an incentive
I get paid to do an operation,
395
00:18:05,700 --> 00:18:10,140
and, so, there's an incentive
for me to do more operations.
396
00:18:16,220 --> 00:18:18,020
(GROANS)
397
00:18:22,940 --> 00:18:24,660
TRUDI KING: I'm on this cycle -
398
00:18:24,660 --> 00:18:27,580
pain doctors, neurologists...
399
00:18:27,580 --> 00:18:29,260
It's just.... It's never-ending.
400
00:18:29,260 --> 00:18:35,060
My life is just a full circle of
doctors, constant, constant doctors.
401
00:18:35,060 --> 00:18:36,580
Never stops.
402
00:18:39,580 --> 00:18:41,020
It's terrible.
403
00:18:41,020 --> 00:18:41,260
I'm worse now
than I was before the surgery.
It's terrible.
404
00:18:41,260 --> 00:18:43,980
I'm worse now
than I was before the surgery.
405
00:18:46,180 --> 00:18:50,620
Trudi's doctors charged her private
health insurance a fortune.
406
00:18:50,620 --> 00:18:54,740
We asked medical billing expert
Dr Margaret Faux
407
00:18:54,740 --> 00:18:57,700
to go through Trudi's records.
408
00:19:01,260 --> 00:19:04,980
MARGARET FAUX: I don't have
Trudi's full medical records,
409
00:19:04,980 --> 00:19:08,660
but I do have
her complete private health records
410
00:19:08,660 --> 00:19:11,220
for the period
when she was in hospital.
411
00:19:11,220 --> 00:19:11,460
Those records make it very clear
for the period
when she was in hospital.
412
00:19:11,460 --> 00:19:13,500
Those records make it very clear
413
00:19:13,500 --> 00:19:18,500
that she was in an intensive care
unit on a ventilator
414
00:19:18,500 --> 00:19:18,740
that she was in an intensive care
unit on a ventilator
for nearly three weeks.
415
00:19:18,740 --> 00:19:21,420
for nearly three weeks.
416
00:19:21,420 --> 00:19:21,660
A number of doctors
for nearly three weeks.
417
00:19:21,660 --> 00:19:26,900
A number of doctors
came into the intensive care unit
418
00:19:26,900 --> 00:19:30,740
to provide additional services
to Trudi.
419
00:19:30,740 --> 00:19:30,980
to provide additional services
The services that they billed
420
00:19:30,980 --> 00:19:33,220
The services that they billed
421
00:19:33,220 --> 00:19:35,060
are services that require the doctor
422
00:19:35,060 --> 00:19:35,300
to have a discussion
are services that require the doctor
423
00:19:35,300 --> 00:19:38,660
to have a discussion
with the patient -
424
00:19:38,660 --> 00:19:42,540
not their relatives, not their
colleagues - with the patient
425
00:19:42,540 --> 00:19:46,260
because you have to explain
treatment to the patient.
426
00:19:46,260 --> 00:19:49,460
Now, I do not understand
how it is possible
427
00:19:49,460 --> 00:19:53,220
to have a discussion
with an unconscious patient
428
00:19:53,220 --> 00:19:53,460
to have a discussion
who is in a coma on a ventilator.
429
00:19:53,460 --> 00:19:55,900
who is in a coma on a ventilator.
430
00:19:55,900 --> 00:20:00,420
So, those records
need to be looked at.
431
00:20:02,300 --> 00:20:03,900
The chronic-pain industry
432
00:20:03,900 --> 00:20:07,940
has become a breeding ground
for financial abuse.
433
00:20:07,940 --> 00:20:11,740
Four Corners has obtained
one of the largest databases
434
00:20:11,740 --> 00:20:17,220
of private health medical bills
for analysis into spinal surgery.
435
00:20:18,580 --> 00:20:21,540
We have access
to six private health funds
436
00:20:21,540 --> 00:20:21,780
We have access
representing 25% of the industry.
437
00:20:21,780 --> 00:20:25,060
representing 25% of the industry.
438
00:20:26,020 --> 00:20:29,100
An unfortunate reality
in the Medicare system
439
00:20:29,100 --> 00:20:32,900
is what you did
in the operating theatre
440
00:20:32,900 --> 00:20:35,420
and what you bill to Medicare
441
00:20:35,420 --> 00:20:37,940
can be two
completely different things.
442
00:20:40,100 --> 00:20:41,580
In Australia
443
00:20:41,580 --> 00:20:41,820
medical billing
In Australia
444
00:20:41,820 --> 00:20:44,340
medical billing
is based on an honour system
445
00:20:44,340 --> 00:20:44,580
medical billing
that doctors will bill correctly.
446
00:20:44,580 --> 00:20:46,500
that doctors will bill correctly.
447
00:20:47,460 --> 00:20:51,260
When they lodge a claim with
private health funds and Medicare
448
00:20:51,260 --> 00:20:52,860
they are automatically paid
449
00:20:52,860 --> 00:20:55,580
without checking
that the services were done.
450
00:20:55,580 --> 00:20:58,620
SIMON PECK: Medical bills are paid
on the basis of trust.
451
00:20:58,620 --> 00:20:58,900
It's a trust
which is not founded in reality
SIMON PECK: Medical bills are paid
on the basis of trust.
452
00:20:58,900 --> 00:21:01,220
It's a trust
which is not founded in reality
453
00:21:01,220 --> 00:21:02,580
because after a while,
454
00:21:02,580 --> 00:21:05,260
when people realise that they're not
being checked up on,
455
00:21:05,260 --> 00:21:05,540
when people realise that they're not
being checked up on,
they start first, perhaps,
to push the boundaries.
456
00:21:05,540 --> 00:21:08,900
they start first, perhaps,
to push the boundaries.
457
00:21:08,900 --> 00:21:10,820
There's an interesting trend
there...
458
00:21:10,820 --> 00:21:15,420
Anaesthetist turned medical-fraud
investigator Dr Simon Peck
459
00:21:15,420 --> 00:21:20,100
analysed the data of more
than 23,000 anonymous patients
460
00:21:20,100 --> 00:21:20,340
analysed the data of more
with his Cambridge-based colleagues
461
00:21:20,340 --> 00:21:22,420
with his Cambridge-based colleagues
462
00:21:22,420 --> 00:21:24,980
using their fraud-detection software.
463
00:21:25,940 --> 00:21:28,140
The same data was also probed
464
00:21:28,140 --> 00:21:31,660
by Sydney-based
medical-billing specialist Synapse,
465
00:21:31,660 --> 00:21:33,580
run by Dr Margaret Faux.
466
00:21:34,500 --> 00:21:36,940
The experts looked for red flags
467
00:21:36,940 --> 00:21:40,300
such as inconsistencies
in surgery times
468
00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:44,300
recorded by multiple people
in the same operating theatre,
469
00:21:44,300 --> 00:21:44,540
recorded by multiple people
who all bill separately.
470
00:21:44,540 --> 00:21:46,380
who all bill separately.
471
00:21:47,340 --> 00:21:49,020
We haven't looked
at medical records,
472
00:21:49,020 --> 00:21:51,660
but there are many red flags
in this data.
473
00:21:52,620 --> 00:21:55,940
This report suggests that there
is a problem with misbilling
474
00:21:55,940 --> 00:21:57,700
and other things in the data.
475
00:21:57,700 --> 00:22:05,460
There were enough discrepancies
in time and across the data
476
00:22:05,460 --> 00:22:08,420
for us to be able
to spot the outliers.
477
00:22:09,780 --> 00:22:12,660
The findings are gobsmacking.
478
00:22:12,660 --> 00:22:16,300
Anaesthetists,
who all bill in short blocks of time,
479
00:22:16,300 --> 00:22:16,540
Anaesthetists,
were the worst offenders.
480
00:22:16,540 --> 00:22:18,500
were the worst offenders.
481
00:22:18,500 --> 00:22:20,220
In one health fund
482
00:22:20,220 --> 00:22:20,460
a staggering 87% billed an
In one health fund
483
00:22:20,460 --> 00:22:25,420
a staggering 87% billed an
anaesthetic time that was much longer
484
00:22:25,420 --> 00:22:29,420
than other people
in the same operating theatre.
485
00:22:31,620 --> 00:22:33,300
There are huge discrepancies
486
00:22:33,300 --> 00:22:33,540
between the surgical time
There are huge discrepancies
487
00:22:33,540 --> 00:22:36,100
between the surgical time
and the anaesthetic time.
488
00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:39,380
They found it was common
for each anaesthetist
489
00:22:39,380 --> 00:22:42,420
to charge an extra
three to six hours,
490
00:22:42,420 --> 00:22:42,660
to charge an extra
and in one case in New South Wales
491
00:22:42,660 --> 00:22:45,020
and in one case in New South Wales
492
00:22:45,020 --> 00:22:45,260
an anaesthetist
and in one case in New South Wales
493
00:22:45,260 --> 00:22:48,260
an anaesthetist
billed 14 hours of time
494
00:22:48,260 --> 00:22:53,340
for a surgery their colleagues said
lasted less than an hour.
495
00:22:53,340 --> 00:22:55,460
I've looked at data
from all around the world,
496
00:22:55,460 --> 00:22:58,980
and I would say
the indicators of misbilling
497
00:22:58,980 --> 00:23:01,660
in the data
that we were provided with
498
00:23:01,660 --> 00:23:01,900
in the data
is at the top end of the scale.
499
00:23:01,900 --> 00:23:04,300
is at the top end of the scale.
500
00:23:06,460 --> 00:23:08,020
It gets worse.
501
00:23:09,340 --> 00:23:12,860
They were putting these
very invasive lines
502
00:23:12,860 --> 00:23:13,140
into major arteries and veins
of the body.
They were putting these
very invasive lines
503
00:23:13,140 --> 00:23:15,340
into major arteries and veins
of the body.
504
00:23:15,340 --> 00:23:20,420
It's not like a drip. These are
much more serious monitoring lines.
505
00:23:20,420 --> 00:23:20,700
It's not like a drip. These are
much more serious monitoring lines.
They're putting them
into very, very young people,
506
00:23:20,700 --> 00:23:23,620
They're putting them
into very, very young people,
507
00:23:23,620 --> 00:23:23,860
They're putting them
you know, 20-year-olds.
508
00:23:23,860 --> 00:23:25,700
you know, 20-year-olds.
509
00:23:25,700 --> 00:23:28,780
And they're not without risk.
They're dangerous.
510
00:23:28,780 --> 00:23:29,860
You know, so,
511
00:23:29,860 --> 00:23:34,580
the incidence of those going in
to patients was through the roof.
512
00:23:35,540 --> 00:23:39,820
The use of invasive monitoring
to monitor blood pressure
513
00:23:39,820 --> 00:23:43,020
in patients
having quite minor procedures.
514
00:23:43,020 --> 00:23:45,260
That's not something
I've seen anywhere else.
515
00:23:45,260 --> 00:23:45,500
That's not something
Without specific medical records
516
00:23:45,500 --> 00:23:48,540
Without specific medical records
517
00:23:48,540 --> 00:23:51,340
it's impossible to be conclusive,
518
00:23:51,340 --> 00:23:52,940
but the experts found
519
00:23:52,940 --> 00:23:56,300
"There's a serious fraud, waste
and abuse problem
520
00:23:56,300 --> 00:23:56,540
"There's a serious fraud, waste
"requiring urgent attention."
521
00:23:56,540 --> 00:23:58,860
"requiring urgent attention."
522
00:23:58,860 --> 00:23:59,100
They're terms
"requiring urgent attention."
523
00:23:59,100 --> 00:24:01,660
They're terms
used widely in the industry
524
00:24:01,660 --> 00:24:06,860
and can cover conduct from errors
to overservicing to fraud.
525
00:24:06,860 --> 00:24:11,660
They uncovered widespread problems
within the pain industry.
526
00:24:11,660 --> 00:24:15,700
More than 20% of the medical bills
for spinal surgery
527
00:24:15,700 --> 00:24:18,020
raised serious questions.
528
00:24:18,020 --> 00:24:21,100
And, alarmingly,
they found some doctors
529
00:24:21,100 --> 00:24:25,660
were admitting people to ICU
who don't need to be there.
530
00:24:25,660 --> 00:24:31,340
And this analysis just looks
at one area - spinal surgery.
531
00:24:31,340 --> 00:24:36,220
(SIREN WAILS)
532
00:24:43,420 --> 00:24:47,380
We showed the findings to a team
of leading healthcare experts.
533
00:24:49,100 --> 00:24:51,700
I'm Dr Chris Hayes.
I'm a pain medicine specialist.
534
00:24:51,700 --> 00:24:55,340
Those findings
have really profoundly shocked me.
535
00:24:57,020 --> 00:25:00,140
I'm Ian Harris. I'm professor
of orthopaedic surgery
536
00:25:00,140 --> 00:25:02,780
and I've been a surgeon
for nearly 30 years.
537
00:25:02,780 --> 00:25:03,020
and I've been a surgeon
It's an enormous problem.
538
00:25:03,020 --> 00:25:04,260
It's an enormous problem.
539
00:25:04,260 --> 00:25:06,620
There's certainly
a lack of oversight. Yeah.
540
00:25:06,620 --> 00:25:10,900
I mean, if it was policed
in any kind of way,
541
00:25:10,900 --> 00:25:13,540
then you would find
an immediate change in practice.
542
00:25:13,540 --> 00:25:16,060
That's for sure.
I mean, it's obvious.
543
00:25:16,060 --> 00:25:18,100
I'm Dr Rachel David.
544
00:25:18,100 --> 00:25:18,340
I'm the CEO
I'm Dr Rachel David.
545
00:25:18,340 --> 00:25:20,340
I'm the CEO
of Private Healthcare Australia,
546
00:25:20,340 --> 00:25:23,340
which represents
health insurance funds.
547
00:25:23,340 --> 00:25:26,020
In this quite narrowly defined
treatment area,
548
00:25:26,020 --> 00:25:28,580
if we extrapolated
across the whole industry,
549
00:25:28,580 --> 00:25:30,100
we're talking about
half a billion dollars
550
00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:33,420
that is being lost to Medicare
and private health insurance
551
00:25:33,420 --> 00:25:37,860
as a consequence
of the poor billing behaviour.
552
00:25:37,860 --> 00:25:41,900
Are we looking
at double exploitation here?
553
00:25:41,900 --> 00:25:42,140
Are we looking
MARGARET FAUX: Yes! Definitely.
554
00:25:42,140 --> 00:25:43,820
MARGARET FAUX: Yes! Definitely.
555
00:25:43,820 --> 00:25:47,940
We are hitting the patient twice.
556
00:25:47,940 --> 00:25:50,460
We are exploiting them clinically
557
00:25:50,460 --> 00:25:50,700
by offering them
We are exploiting them clinically
558
00:25:50,700 --> 00:25:53,460
by offering them
treatments and procedures
559
00:25:53,460 --> 00:25:53,700
by offering them
that can be harmful,
560
00:25:53,700 --> 00:25:55,100
that can be harmful,
561
00:25:55,100 --> 00:25:58,500
and then a second time financially.
562
00:25:58,500 --> 00:26:01,860
And you can't disconnect
those two things
563
00:26:01,860 --> 00:26:04,340
because every clinical service
that has to be provided
564
00:26:04,340 --> 00:26:04,580
because every clinical service
has to be paid for.
565
00:26:04,580 --> 00:26:05,820
has to be paid for.
566
00:26:05,820 --> 00:26:09,620
So, you can't disconnect
the clinical from the money,
567
00:26:09,620 --> 00:26:12,180
certainly not
in a fee-for-service system.
568
00:26:12,180 --> 00:26:14,420
Those two things
are inextricably linked.
569
00:26:17,220 --> 00:26:19,060
DAVID IZARD:
I had no sense of direction
570
00:26:19,060 --> 00:26:21,900
for nearly 12 months after that.
571
00:26:21,900 --> 00:26:24,340
I just stayed home,
572
00:26:24,340 --> 00:26:25,900
tried to keep the place spotless
573
00:26:25,900 --> 00:26:26,100
'cause that's how Gayle liked it...
tried to keep the place spotless
574
00:26:26,100 --> 00:26:27,980
'cause that's how Gayle liked it...
575
00:26:30,140 --> 00:26:32,700
..and had nothing to do with...
576
00:26:33,660 --> 00:26:36,060
..virtually anybody else.
577
00:26:39,980 --> 00:26:42,540
Retired policeman David Izard
578
00:26:42,540 --> 00:26:48,580
is still coming to terms with the
sudden loss of his wife of 43 years.
579
00:26:48,580 --> 00:26:54,340
Gayle died
after major spinal surgery in 2017.
580
00:26:54,340 --> 00:26:56,660
Her neurosurgeon was Tom Morris,
581
00:26:56,660 --> 00:27:00,540
who has since had conditions
placed on him by the regulator,
582
00:27:00,540 --> 00:27:00,780
who has since had conditions
but he can still operate.
583
00:27:00,780 --> 00:27:03,060
but he can still operate.
584
00:27:06,020 --> 00:27:12,900
Do you remember when you first met
Mr Morris, what he was like?
585
00:27:14,420 --> 00:27:17,300
Mr Morris was like...
586
00:27:17,300 --> 00:27:20,420
..a knight on a silver steed.
587
00:27:20,420 --> 00:27:22,420
He was just the light.
588
00:27:22,420 --> 00:27:28,420
He was just so confident and...
589
00:27:28,420 --> 00:27:30,060
..yeah, just made you feel
590
00:27:30,060 --> 00:27:30,300
like finally you found someone
..yeah, just made you feel
591
00:27:30,300 --> 00:27:32,740
like finally you found someone
after all these years
592
00:27:32,740 --> 00:27:36,020
who will make a difference
immediately.
593
00:27:36,020 --> 00:27:38,140
He told us
he's very good at his work
594
00:27:38,140 --> 00:27:42,980
and that, for Gayle
to have any further surgery,
595
00:27:42,980 --> 00:27:46,020
you would need someone who had
performed that type of surgery
596
00:27:46,020 --> 00:27:46,260
you would need someone who had
in the past
597
00:27:46,260 --> 00:27:47,660
in the past
598
00:27:47,660 --> 00:27:53,180
and who was competent in doing
that particular type of surgery
599
00:27:53,180 --> 00:27:55,420
and that he had that experience
600
00:27:55,420 --> 00:27:57,980
and that if anyone could help her
601
00:27:57,980 --> 00:27:59,180
it was him.
602
00:27:59,180 --> 00:28:03,820
He just swept both of us up.
603
00:28:03,820 --> 00:28:06,380
And she was in a lot of pain?
604
00:28:06,380 --> 00:28:08,940
Constant pain. Yes. She'd...
605
00:28:09,900 --> 00:28:13,740
She'd been suffering severe pain
for many years.
606
00:28:15,020 --> 00:28:17,660
In '88 it was...
607
00:28:18,660 --> 00:28:21,740
..debilitating
and later on it became crippling.
608
00:28:23,660 --> 00:28:28,420
Gayle and David
first met Mr Morris in 2017.
609
00:28:28,420 --> 00:28:33,100
He had been qualified
as a neurosurgeon since 2016.
610
00:28:33,100 --> 00:28:33,380
He had been qualified
as a neurosurgeon since 2016.
a neurosurgeon for quite some time
611
00:28:33,380 --> 00:28:36,780
We assumed that he'd been
a neurosurgeon for quite some time
612
00:28:36,780 --> 00:28:39,580
because the procedure
he was talking about
613
00:28:39,580 --> 00:28:39,820
because the procedure
we knew was going to be difficult.
614
00:28:39,820 --> 00:28:42,420
we knew was going to be difficult.
615
00:28:42,420 --> 00:28:45,940
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
616
00:28:45,940 --> 00:28:46,180
Gayle was in poor health,
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
617
00:28:46,180 --> 00:28:51,180
Gayle was in poor health,
making her higher risk for surgery.
618
00:28:52,140 --> 00:28:57,540
Mr Morris performed four major
surgeries on her over seven months,
619
00:28:57,540 --> 00:28:57,820
three of them
over an eight-week period.
Mr Morris performed four major
surgeries on her over seven months,
620
00:28:57,820 --> 00:29:02,060
three of them
over an eight-week period.
621
00:29:02,060 --> 00:29:04,340
ALISON SPECK:
Which was quite a huge undertaking
622
00:29:04,340 --> 00:29:04,580
because she was having
Which was quite a huge undertaking
623
00:29:04,580 --> 00:29:05,500
because she was having
624
00:29:05,500 --> 00:29:10,380
from her thoracic spine
down to her pelvis entirely fused.
625
00:29:10,380 --> 00:29:10,660
from her thoracic spine
down to her pelvis entirely fused.
It's quite
a significant undertaking.
626
00:29:10,660 --> 00:29:12,620
It's quite
a significant undertaking.
627
00:29:13,900 --> 00:29:16,980
Something went horribly wrong.
628
00:29:16,980 --> 00:29:21,260
I got a phone call from Tom to say
that everything had gone well.
629
00:29:21,260 --> 00:29:22,900
I got another phone call from Tom
630
00:29:22,900 --> 00:29:27,220
to say that Gayle
had had a catastrophic brain injury.
631
00:29:27,220 --> 00:29:29,940
"Get in here,
she's not going to make it."
632
00:29:31,500 --> 00:29:35,260
Former neurosurgical nurse
and lawyer Alison Speck
633
00:29:35,260 --> 00:29:39,180
is running a medical-negligence case
against Mr Morris.
634
00:29:40,580 --> 00:29:43,660
There's two main allegations
of negligence.
635
00:29:43,660 --> 00:29:45,940
The first is that
it was actually unreasonable
636
00:29:45,940 --> 00:29:49,100
to have recommended that procedure
in the first place
637
00:29:49,100 --> 00:29:49,340
to have recommended that procedure
and performed it on Gayle.
638
00:29:49,340 --> 00:29:50,860
and performed it on Gayle.
639
00:29:50,860 --> 00:29:53,100
And the second
is an issue of consent.
640
00:29:54,780 --> 00:29:56,540
Multiple hospital records show
641
00:29:56,540 --> 00:30:01,500
in the days before surgery
Gayle got cold feet.
642
00:30:01,500 --> 00:30:03,140
Hours before the operation
643
00:30:03,140 --> 00:30:05,740
she told a nurse of her doubts.
644
00:30:07,020 --> 00:30:09,660
Their nursing staff
645
00:30:09,660 --> 00:30:12,180
noting that Gayle has said to them
646
00:30:12,180 --> 00:30:14,420
words to the effect of,
"She's scared.
647
00:30:14,420 --> 00:30:14,660
words to the effect of,
"She wants to call the surgery off.
648
00:30:14,660 --> 00:30:16,020
"She wants to call the surgery off.
649
00:30:16,020 --> 00:30:17,860
"She doesn't want go ahead.
650
00:30:17,860 --> 00:30:19,220
"She's frightened."
651
00:30:20,180 --> 00:30:23,340
And that they would notify
Mr Morris.
652
00:30:23,340 --> 00:30:28,580
We don't know if that message
was passed on to Mr Moris.
653
00:30:28,580 --> 00:30:30,020
But then she has the surgery.
654
00:30:30,020 --> 00:30:30,220
She had the surgery.
But then she has the surgery.
655
00:30:30,220 --> 00:30:31,420
She had the surgery.
656
00:30:31,420 --> 00:30:33,060
There's nothing in the notes
657
00:30:33,060 --> 00:30:33,300
to suggest that Mr Morris
There's nothing in the notes
658
00:30:33,300 --> 00:30:37,580
to suggest that Mr Morris
spoke to her or attended
659
00:30:37,580 --> 00:30:41,140
because there's nothing
in the progress notes from him.
660
00:30:42,340 --> 00:30:44,260
In his legal defence
661
00:30:44,260 --> 00:30:44,500
Mr Morris says he discussed the risks
In his legal defence
662
00:30:44,500 --> 00:30:48,860
Mr Morris says he discussed the risks
with Gayle and David.
663
00:30:48,860 --> 00:30:49,100
Mr Morris says he discussed the risks
He denies medical negligence
664
00:30:49,100 --> 00:30:51,340
He denies medical negligence
665
00:30:51,340 --> 00:30:55,220
and says
Gayle didn't withdraw consent.
666
00:30:55,220 --> 00:31:00,780
Medical records show he'd outlined
the risks of surgery to Gayle.
667
00:31:00,780 --> 00:31:03,020
Mr Morris says he also received
668
00:31:03,020 --> 00:31:07,300
messages of gratitude
from David Izard after Gayle's death,
669
00:31:07,300 --> 00:31:10,100
and he says
he's never financially motivated
670
00:31:10,100 --> 00:31:10,340
and he says
when doing surgical interventions.
671
00:31:10,340 --> 00:31:13,100
when doing surgical interventions.
672
00:31:14,260 --> 00:31:17,740
Gayle wasn't Mr Morris's
only poor outcome
673
00:31:17,740 --> 00:31:22,940
according to a 2021 decision
by Victorian tribunal VCAT.
674
00:31:22,940 --> 00:31:25,940
It found "he poses a serious risk."
675
00:31:25,940 --> 00:31:27,740
VCAT documents show
676
00:31:27,740 --> 00:31:27,980
he operated on the wrong part
of an 81-year-old's spine
VCAT documents show
677
00:31:27,980 --> 00:31:32,220
he operated on the wrong part
of an 81-year-old's spine
678
00:31:32,220 --> 00:31:32,460
at a regional hospital in 2018,
of an 81-year-old's spine
679
00:31:32,460 --> 00:31:35,180
at a regional hospital in 2018,
680
00:31:35,180 --> 00:31:35,420
at a regional hospital in 2018,
with surgical complications
681
00:31:35,420 --> 00:31:39,020
and it noted 22 patients
with surgical complications
682
00:31:39,020 --> 00:31:39,260
at Epworth, Richmond,
with surgical complications
683
00:31:39,260 --> 00:31:40,660
at Epworth, Richmond,
684
00:31:40,660 --> 00:31:44,500
between 2017 and early 2018.
685
00:31:45,460 --> 00:31:47,740
Epworth's notes say
he was reluctant
686
00:31:47,740 --> 00:31:51,060
to reduce the number
of spinal surgeries.
687
00:31:52,460 --> 00:31:55,660
ALISON SPECK: So, you can see
from the VCAT judgement
688
00:31:55,660 --> 00:31:55,940
ALISON SPECK: So, you can see
from the VCAT judgement
that they think Mr Morris poses
a risk to the public as a surgeon,
689
00:31:55,940 --> 00:32:00,300
that they think Mr Morris poses
a risk to the public as a surgeon,
690
00:32:00,300 --> 00:32:01,900
and they took immediate action
691
00:32:01,900 --> 00:32:04,780
to make sure
that there are restrictions
692
00:32:04,780 --> 00:32:07,100
on his practising certificate,
essentially,
693
00:32:07,100 --> 00:32:07,340
on his practising certificate,
what he can and can't do.
694
00:32:07,340 --> 00:32:08,620
what he can and can't do.
695
00:32:09,580 --> 00:32:15,220
VCAT heard that Epworth didn't impose
any restrictions on Mr Morris.
696
00:32:15,220 --> 00:32:17,260
It tried to deal with him internally,
697
00:32:17,260 --> 00:32:20,060
but he resigned in June 2018.
698
00:32:23,020 --> 00:32:24,860
Just a few months later
699
00:32:24,860 --> 00:32:25,100
there were more
Just a few months later
700
00:32:25,100 --> 00:32:27,620
there were more
patient complications,
701
00:32:27,620 --> 00:32:27,860
there were more
this time at St Vincent's.
702
00:32:27,860 --> 00:32:30,100
this time at St Vincent's.
703
00:32:30,100 --> 00:32:33,420
They reported him to the regulator,
AHPRA.
704
00:32:33,420 --> 00:32:33,660
They reported him to the regulator,
Epworth declined to answer questions,
705
00:32:33,660 --> 00:32:35,660
Epworth declined to answer questions,
706
00:32:35,660 --> 00:32:35,900
but said patient safety
Epworth declined to answer questions,
707
00:32:35,900 --> 00:32:39,740
but said patient safety
is a priority.
708
00:32:41,620 --> 00:32:45,420
I understand that they undertook
their own review
709
00:32:45,420 --> 00:32:49,700
following some quite significant
and awful outcomes there,
710
00:32:49,700 --> 00:32:53,900
and that sort of triggered AHPRA
to investigate
711
00:32:53,900 --> 00:32:54,140
and that sort of triggered AHPRA
and, therefore, impose restrictions.
712
00:32:54,140 --> 00:32:56,380
and, therefore, impose restrictions.
713
00:32:57,500 --> 00:33:02,180
A VCAT ruling allows him
to still operate as a surgeon,
714
00:33:02,180 --> 00:33:07,500
but under his current restrictions
he must consult with a supervisor.
715
00:33:07,500 --> 00:33:10,820
He's also allowed
to be a surgical assistant.
716
00:33:10,820 --> 00:33:11,060
He's also allowed
Mr Morris declined to be interviewed.
717
00:33:11,060 --> 00:33:14,060
Mr Morris declined to be interviewed.
718
00:33:15,500 --> 00:33:18,980
There's some obvious cowboys
out there.
719
00:33:20,940 --> 00:33:23,820
Unfortunately, we met one.
720
00:33:25,500 --> 00:33:27,380
Mr Morris's medical billing
721
00:33:27,380 --> 00:33:31,460
was also flagged
in the VCAT documents by experts,
722
00:33:31,460 --> 00:33:33,460
which he disputed.
723
00:33:34,820 --> 00:33:39,220
We asked Dr Faux
to look at Gayle's health bills.
724
00:33:39,220 --> 00:33:44,340
MARGARET FAUX: Gayle's records
raised the most concerns for me.
725
00:33:44,340 --> 00:33:44,580
So, this included
MARGARET FAUX: Gayle's records
raised the most concerns for me.
726
00:33:44,580 --> 00:33:46,220
So, this included
727
00:33:46,220 --> 00:33:49,580
billing for surgical procedures
728
00:33:49,580 --> 00:33:52,580
that may not have been performed
729
00:33:52,580 --> 00:33:52,780
that may not have been performed
and billing for hospital visits
730
00:33:52,780 --> 00:33:55,980
and billing for hospital visits
731
00:33:55,980 --> 00:33:56,220
when there is no evidence in the
and billing for hospital visits
732
00:33:56,220 --> 00:34:01,180
when there is no evidence in the
record that those visits took place.
733
00:34:01,180 --> 00:34:01,420
when there is no evidence in the
And, in fact, on one date
734
00:34:01,420 --> 00:34:03,660
And, in fact, on one date
735
00:34:03,660 --> 00:34:06,100
Gayle wasn't even in hospital,
736
00:34:06,100 --> 00:34:10,300
yet a hospital visit
was billed and paid,
737
00:34:10,300 --> 00:34:13,420
and it needs
to be further investigated.
738
00:34:17,340 --> 00:34:19,340
DAVID IZARD: It's just not the same.
739
00:34:19,340 --> 00:34:21,300
It never will be.
740
00:34:22,740 --> 00:34:26,340
Sure, I've got some friends,
but I miss my mate.
741
00:34:28,620 --> 00:34:32,860
We just saw that ray of light
and thought, "You beauty,
742
00:34:32,860 --> 00:34:35,620
"there's the tunnel,
there's a light at the end of it."
743
00:34:36,740 --> 00:34:40,540
But it was just a train that
came down and whacked us so hard.
744
00:34:43,260 --> 00:34:45,100
For the last six months
745
00:34:45,100 --> 00:34:47,940
I've been investigating
the pain industry,
746
00:34:47,940 --> 00:34:48,180
I've been investigating
and what's alarmed me most
747
00:34:48,180 --> 00:34:49,980
and what's alarmed me most
748
00:34:49,980 --> 00:34:52,460
has been the slowness
of the regulators,
749
00:34:52,460 --> 00:34:55,540
who are supposed
to keep patients safe.
750
00:34:56,860 --> 00:35:00,780
The Therapeutic Goods Administration,
or TGA,
751
00:35:00,780 --> 00:35:02,820
regulates medical devices.
752
00:35:02,820 --> 00:35:04,980
It runs a database
753
00:35:04,980 --> 00:35:09,020
that tracks harmful and negative
patient outcomes.
754
00:35:09,020 --> 00:35:13,580
The TGA says there's been more
than 2,000 adverse-event reports
755
00:35:13,580 --> 00:35:15,980
related to spinal-cord stimulators.
756
00:35:30,140 --> 00:35:32,500
Does that sound high to you?
757
00:35:32,500 --> 00:35:32,740
Yeah, look, it does.
It sounds alarming to me.
Does that sound high to you?
758
00:35:32,740 --> 00:35:36,940
Yeah, look, it does.
It sounds alarming to me.
759
00:35:36,940 --> 00:35:40,100
The last major scandal
that we've dealt with
760
00:35:40,100 --> 00:35:40,340
The last major scandal
that we've dealt with
in terms of medical implants
761
00:35:40,340 --> 00:35:42,340
in terms of medical implants
762
00:35:42,340 --> 00:35:48,140
was the use of hernia mesh
for pelvic organ prolapse in women.
763
00:35:48,140 --> 00:35:48,380
was the use of hernia mesh
For mesh over the same period
764
00:35:48,380 --> 00:35:51,420
For mesh over the same period
765
00:35:51,420 --> 00:35:51,660
there were 224 adverse events
For mesh over the same period
766
00:35:51,660 --> 00:35:55,700
there were 224 adverse events
reported,
767
00:35:55,700 --> 00:35:59,900
and that, as we know now,
was a major scandal
768
00:35:59,900 --> 00:36:02,420
in which a number of patients
came to harm.
769
00:36:04,140 --> 00:36:08,020
We also uncovered
vast underreporting.
770
00:36:08,020 --> 00:36:11,260
One of the biggest device companies,
Medtronics,
771
00:36:11,260 --> 00:36:11,500
One of the biggest device companies,
had fewer than 10 adverse events
772
00:36:11,500 --> 00:36:13,900
had fewer than 10 adverse events
773
00:36:13,900 --> 00:36:14,140
related to its spinal-cord
had fewer than 10 adverse events
774
00:36:14,140 --> 00:36:16,580
related to its spinal-cord
stimulators
775
00:36:16,580 --> 00:36:16,820
related to its spinal-cord
in the database over a decade.
776
00:36:16,820 --> 00:36:19,900
in the database over a decade.
777
00:36:19,900 --> 00:36:23,500
We asked the private health funds
to run the numbers.
778
00:36:26,260 --> 00:36:30,220
We looked at 764
Medtronic generators
779
00:36:30,220 --> 00:36:33,100
that were...or stimulators
that were implanted,
780
00:36:33,100 --> 00:36:33,340
that were...or stimulators
and, of those, 30% were revised
781
00:36:33,340 --> 00:36:37,300
and, of those, 30% were revised
782
00:36:37,300 --> 00:36:41,140
or required some sort
of premature surgical intervention
783
00:36:41,140 --> 00:36:43,380
to reset them
within the first three years,
784
00:36:43,380 --> 00:36:46,420
which would be either
that the device was replaced
785
00:36:46,420 --> 00:36:46,660
which would be either
or a lead was replaced.
786
00:36:46,660 --> 00:36:48,380
or a lead was replaced.
787
00:36:49,340 --> 00:36:52,060
Australian sponsors
of medical devices
788
00:36:52,060 --> 00:36:56,860
are legally required
to report adverse events to the TGA,
789
00:36:56,860 --> 00:37:00,540
but the TGA
has never taken any action
790
00:37:00,540 --> 00:37:03,180
for failures
to report an adverse event
791
00:37:03,180 --> 00:37:05,860
relating
to spinal-cord stimulators.
792
00:37:05,860 --> 00:37:11,820
Medtronics denies underreporting
and says it follows the TGA rules.
793
00:37:15,260 --> 00:37:19,780
We can't find evidence that Teresa
or Gordon's stimulator horror stories
794
00:37:19,780 --> 00:37:20,020
We can't find evidence that Teresa
were ever reported.
795
00:37:20,020 --> 00:37:21,820
were ever reported.
796
00:37:21,820 --> 00:37:26,500
The device companies won't comment
on individual patients.
797
00:37:26,500 --> 00:37:30,860
They say their devices are safe
and abide by the law.
798
00:37:33,300 --> 00:37:38,580
I can't understand
why the TGA haven't done more.
799
00:37:38,580 --> 00:37:38,820
I can't understand
I can't understand
800
00:37:38,820 --> 00:37:40,060
I can't understand
801
00:37:40,060 --> 00:37:40,260
I can't understand
why the stimulator companies
802
00:37:40,260 --> 00:37:42,980
why the stimulator companies
803
00:37:42,980 --> 00:37:44,980
don't ring up people like me
804
00:37:44,980 --> 00:37:48,380
or even get me down
to their big fancy offices
805
00:37:48,380 --> 00:37:52,060
and say, well, you know,
"What are the symptoms you've had?
806
00:37:52,060 --> 00:37:55,820
"How do we improve this?"
807
00:37:55,820 --> 00:37:57,620
All that sort of stuff.
808
00:37:57,620 --> 00:38:02,140
The job of the regulator
is to keep people safe.
809
00:38:02,140 --> 00:38:05,340
When it comes
to spinal-cord stimulators
810
00:38:05,340 --> 00:38:08,020
its performance has been appalling.
811
00:38:08,020 --> 00:38:12,340
Its own database is littered
with people who've been hurt
812
00:38:12,340 --> 00:38:12,580
Its own database is littered
by a device they believe is safe.
813
00:38:12,580 --> 00:38:15,540
by a device they believe is safe.
814
00:38:15,540 --> 00:38:18,420
The regulator launched a review,
815
00:38:18,420 --> 00:38:20,180
but that was two years ago
816
00:38:20,180 --> 00:38:22,260
and we're still waiting.
817
00:38:23,860 --> 00:38:28,420
We asked the TGA for an interview,
but it couldn't make the time.
818
00:38:28,420 --> 00:38:31,100
In a statement
it said approval of a device
819
00:38:31,100 --> 00:38:34,580
is based on the available evidence
at the time.
820
00:38:34,580 --> 00:38:34,820
is based on the available evidence
It said patient safety is a priority.
821
00:38:34,820 --> 00:38:38,580
It said patient safety is a priority.
822
00:38:39,860 --> 00:38:42,060
It's no surprise
823
00:38:42,060 --> 00:38:46,540
some private pain clinics are making
a fortune from stimulators,
824
00:38:46,540 --> 00:38:50,300
and the funds paying for them
aren't happy.
825
00:38:50,300 --> 00:38:53,900
You're representing
the private health funds.
826
00:38:53,900 --> 00:38:57,820
Many people would see them
as making big profits.
827
00:38:57,820 --> 00:38:58,060
Many people would see them
They were up 110% last year
828
00:38:58,060 --> 00:39:00,540
They were up 110% last year
829
00:39:00,540 --> 00:39:02,580
while premiums are going up,
830
00:39:02,580 --> 00:39:02,820
and people are complaining that
while premiums are going up,
831
00:39:02,820 --> 00:39:06,380
and people are complaining that
they're not getting as many services
832
00:39:06,380 --> 00:39:06,620
and people are complaining that
for what they're paying for.
833
00:39:06,620 --> 00:39:08,380
for what they're paying for.
834
00:39:08,380 --> 00:39:11,780
How do you answer
those sort of criticisms?
835
00:39:11,780 --> 00:39:12,020
I'm absolutely confident
How do you answer
those sort of criticisms?
836
00:39:12,020 --> 00:39:14,540
I'm absolutely confident
837
00:39:14,540 --> 00:39:17,260
that the health funds
would spend even more money
838
00:39:17,260 --> 00:39:17,500
that the health funds
if they knew
839
00:39:17,500 --> 00:39:18,780
if they knew
840
00:39:18,780 --> 00:39:19,020
if they knew
that it was on treatments
that were working.
841
00:39:19,020 --> 00:39:21,020
that it was on treatments
that were working.
842
00:39:21,020 --> 00:39:23,500
What we're seeing
with what we ARE spending
843
00:39:23,500 --> 00:39:27,460
is that it is simply
putting people on a hamster wheel
844
00:39:27,460 --> 00:39:33,540
of more treatment, hospital
admissions and revision surgery.
845
00:39:33,540 --> 00:39:36,940
That is not a good investment
in people's care.
846
00:39:38,660 --> 00:39:40,900
Pain specialist Dr Chris Hayes
847
00:39:40,900 --> 00:39:45,020
stopped implanting stimulators
20 years ago.
848
00:39:45,020 --> 00:39:45,260
stopped implanting stimulators
CHRIS HAYES: I found that people
849
00:39:45,260 --> 00:39:46,500
CHRIS HAYES: I found that people
850
00:39:46,500 --> 00:39:46,740
were just not making
CHRIS HAYES: I found that people
851
00:39:46,740 --> 00:39:49,420
were just not making
good improvements,
852
00:39:49,420 --> 00:39:49,660
were just not making
and, to my mind,
853
00:39:49,660 --> 00:39:50,580
and, to my mind,
854
00:39:50,580 --> 00:39:53,860
nothing substantial has changed
in the scientific evidence
855
00:39:53,860 --> 00:39:55,540
over the last 20 years
856
00:39:55,540 --> 00:39:57,740
other than to reinforce the view
857
00:39:57,740 --> 00:40:00,940
that this hasn't got good evidence
to support it
858
00:40:00,940 --> 00:40:03,660
and that there is a substantial risk
of harm.
859
00:40:08,500 --> 00:40:10,460
The pain industry is...
860
00:40:11,420 --> 00:40:13,460
..an interesting place in Australia.
861
00:40:13,460 --> 00:40:13,700
It is a bit of a jungle
..an interesting place in Australia.
862
00:40:13,700 --> 00:40:15,580
It is a bit of a jungle
in some ways.
863
00:40:24,420 --> 00:40:29,740
JASON PARKER: I just managed
to find a way to see a life
864
00:40:29,740 --> 00:40:34,300
without depending on anything
to support my pain.
865
00:40:34,300 --> 00:40:39,420
My desire
was to live with colour and joy.
866
00:40:40,380 --> 00:40:42,020
That had all been removed
867
00:40:42,020 --> 00:40:43,900
by the spinal-cord stimulator,
868
00:40:43,900 --> 00:40:45,900
the opioids, the nerve pain,
869
00:40:45,900 --> 00:40:46,140
the opioids, the nerve pain,
the injections, the steroids,
the...everything else.
870
00:40:46,140 --> 00:40:48,860
the injections, the steroids,
the...everything else.
871
00:40:48,860 --> 00:40:51,820
So, the only way
I was going to come out of that
872
00:40:51,820 --> 00:40:53,860
was find a way
to leave those behind.
873
00:40:58,140 --> 00:41:00,860
Jason Parker felt like a prisoner
874
00:41:00,860 --> 00:41:04,420
trapped inside the pain industry
for years.
875
00:41:04,420 --> 00:41:04,660
trapped inside the pain industry
Now he's finally made it out.
876
00:41:04,660 --> 00:41:07,260
Now he's finally made it out.
877
00:41:08,220 --> 00:41:11,100
So, when was the turning point?
878
00:41:11,100 --> 00:41:13,020
Um...
879
00:41:13,020 --> 00:41:13,220
Um...
When I got the machine out.
880
00:41:13,220 --> 00:41:15,500
When I got the machine out.
881
00:41:19,940 --> 00:41:23,260
Jason's medical history is harrowing.
882
00:41:23,260 --> 00:41:25,660
He was in a terrible car accident,
883
00:41:25,660 --> 00:41:27,860
leaving him in agony.
884
00:41:27,860 --> 00:41:31,540
He later lost his legs
to an infection.
885
00:41:31,540 --> 00:41:31,780
He later lost his legs
He's had the works -
886
00:41:31,780 --> 00:41:33,660
He's had the works -
887
00:41:33,660 --> 00:41:36,060
surgeries, stimulators,
888
00:41:36,060 --> 00:41:37,860
spinal fusion.
889
00:41:38,820 --> 00:41:41,980
A lot of people are making an awful
lot of money out of people's misery.
890
00:41:47,380 --> 00:41:51,340
I just was wasting away
in a bedroom, essentially.
891
00:41:51,340 --> 00:41:53,540
The financial impact
of not being able to work
892
00:41:53,540 --> 00:41:53,780
The financial impact
meant you had to go on the dole,
893
00:41:53,780 --> 00:41:55,300
meant you had to go on the dole,
894
00:41:55,300 --> 00:41:57,580
so, I was
in my parents' third bedroom.
895
00:41:57,580 --> 00:41:58,860
I lost my house.
896
00:41:58,860 --> 00:41:59,860
I went...
897
00:41:59,860 --> 00:42:01,460
Everything gone.
898
00:42:03,620 --> 00:42:08,900
Jason had 10 spinal-cord stimulator
operations over five years.
899
00:42:10,620 --> 00:42:15,420
I was expecting him to say,
"Listen, mate, this ain't working.
900
00:42:15,420 --> 00:42:17,100
"Let's just call it quits,
901
00:42:17,100 --> 00:42:19,580
"and I'm not going
to put you through anymore."
902
00:42:19,580 --> 00:42:22,900
But it was always there was another
thing he could do to fix it.
903
00:42:27,260 --> 00:42:29,540
Do you think it was
the worst decision of your life?
904
00:42:29,540 --> 00:42:29,780
Do you think it was
Absolutely.
905
00:42:29,780 --> 00:42:30,900
Absolutely.
906
00:42:30,900 --> 00:42:32,700
They're Frankenstein machines.
907
00:42:32,700 --> 00:42:34,780
They are not built
for the human body.
908
00:42:35,740 --> 00:42:37,940
And it's sold as the dream.
909
00:42:37,940 --> 00:42:40,420
It's sold
as the "We've got your answer."
910
00:42:40,420 --> 00:42:42,220
Now, I sometimes feel
911
00:42:42,220 --> 00:42:44,100
that the answer was provided
912
00:42:44,100 --> 00:42:47,300
because I had
the highest medical cover.
913
00:42:48,260 --> 00:42:52,700
It's been a year since
Jason had his stimulator removed.
914
00:42:52,700 --> 00:42:52,940
It's been a year since
I still am in pain,
915
00:42:52,940 --> 00:42:54,700
I still am in pain,
916
00:42:54,700 --> 00:42:57,340
but I've learned
to live and understand
917
00:42:57,340 --> 00:42:57,580
but I've learned
how my body deals with pain.
918
00:42:57,580 --> 00:43:01,220
how my body deals with pain.
919
00:43:01,220 --> 00:43:02,900
I hope that somebody is out there
920
00:43:02,900 --> 00:43:07,460
going, "You know what?
Maybe I won't take that step first."
921
00:43:08,420 --> 00:43:09,900
What's clear -
922
00:43:09,900 --> 00:43:10,140
this industry
What's clear -
923
00:43:10,140 --> 00:43:13,620
this industry
can't cure chronic pain,
924
00:43:13,620 --> 00:43:13,860
this industry
but over-treatment is rife
925
00:43:13,860 --> 00:43:16,180
but over-treatment is rife
926
00:43:16,180 --> 00:43:18,700
as the vulnerable seek hope
927
00:43:18,700 --> 00:43:18,940
and some unscrupulous practitioners
as the vulnerable seek hope
928
00:43:18,940 --> 00:43:23,860
and some unscrupulous practitioners
see opportunity.
929
00:43:23,860 --> 00:43:26,100
There is a big business element
to this,
930
00:43:26,100 --> 00:43:29,580
given that one in five Australians
or thereabouts
931
00:43:29,580 --> 00:43:29,820
given that one in five Australians
experience chronic pain.
932
00:43:29,820 --> 00:43:31,860
experience chronic pain.
933
00:43:31,860 --> 00:43:32,100
It could be said they're walking
experience chronic pain.
934
00:43:32,100 --> 00:43:34,580
It could be said they're walking
around with a big dollar sign
935
00:43:34,580 --> 00:43:34,820
It could be said they're walking
hanging around their neck.
936
00:43:34,820 --> 00:43:37,060
hanging around their neck.
937
00:43:38,300 --> 00:43:42,020
IAN HARRIS: I find that chronic pain
is not well-treated
938
00:43:42,020 --> 00:43:44,260
by cutting people
and operating on them.
939
00:43:45,220 --> 00:43:48,580
So, you have to start thinking
more scientifically and objectively
940
00:43:48,580 --> 00:43:48,820
So, you have to start thinking
before offering the treatment.
941
00:43:48,820 --> 00:43:50,620
before offering the treatment.
942
00:43:50,620 --> 00:43:50,860
But there's no...
before offering the treatment.
943
00:43:50,860 --> 00:43:53,420
But there's no...
there's no policing of that.
944
00:43:53,420 --> 00:43:57,660
I can offer a spine fusion on
every patient that comes to see me
945
00:43:57,660 --> 00:44:01,660
with a degenerative disc
in their back.
946
00:44:01,660 --> 00:44:03,540
Nobody's going to stop me
from doing that.
947
00:44:05,700 --> 00:44:07,420
And there's little appetite
948
00:44:07,420 --> 00:44:11,220
to change a system
desperate for reform.
949
00:44:12,180 --> 00:44:13,980
And are you in pain now?
950
00:44:13,980 --> 00:44:15,060
Oh, yeah.
951
00:44:15,060 --> 00:44:16,260
Yeah.
952
00:44:16,260 --> 00:44:17,460
Yes.
953
00:44:18,420 --> 00:44:20,060
Always.
954
00:44:20,060 --> 00:44:22,780
I was a victim to it.
955
00:44:22,780 --> 00:44:26,220
It's just the most horrific thing.
956
00:44:26,220 --> 00:44:29,340
The only peace I get
is when I'm asleep.
957
00:44:40,500 --> 00:44:43,380
It really has destroyed our lives.
958
00:44:44,820 --> 00:44:47,060
DAVID IZARD:
Once you get on that merry-go-round,
959
00:44:47,060 --> 00:44:48,780
it's extremely difficult
to get off.
960
00:44:51,380 --> 00:44:53,620
Don't do it. Don't do it.
961
00:44:54,580 --> 00:44:59,180
Why does all of this matter?
What's so important about it?
962
00:44:59,180 --> 00:45:03,660
MARGARET FAUX: It matters because
it depletes our health system
963
00:45:03,660 --> 00:45:03,900
MARGARET FAUX: It matters because
of the money it needs,
964
00:45:03,900 --> 00:45:06,140
of the money it needs,
965
00:45:06,140 --> 00:45:07,900
and it's a patient-safety issue.
966
00:45:07,900 --> 00:45:09,580
It's both.
967
00:45:09,580 --> 00:45:12,740
So, it's misappropriation of funds
968
00:45:12,740 --> 00:45:15,340
and you're putting patients at risk.
969
00:45:15,340 --> 00:45:18,780
So, it matters a great deal.
970
00:45:18,780 --> 00:45:20,980
If we don't keep shining a light
971
00:45:20,980 --> 00:45:23,780
into this very dark part
of the health system,
972
00:45:23,780 --> 00:45:24,020
into this very dark part
it will soon collapse.
973
00:45:24,020 --> 00:45:26,500
it will soon collapse.
974
00:45:26,500 --> 00:45:29,020
It's littered with waste and abuse.
975
00:45:29,980 --> 00:45:34,260
And I think Australians
deserve to know the truth.
976
00:45:35,140 --> 00:45:36,980
Don't you?
977
00:45:40,300 --> 00:45:43,780
TERESA BURBERY:
It's left me in worse pain
978
00:45:43,780 --> 00:45:44,020
TERESA BURBERY:
than I could ever have imagined.
979
00:45:44,020 --> 00:45:45,900
than I could ever have imagined.
980
00:45:45,900 --> 00:45:48,020
It's taken my mobility.
981
00:45:49,140 --> 00:45:51,420
It's taken my business.
982
00:45:52,380 --> 00:45:54,100
Taken my career.
983
00:45:55,060 --> 00:45:57,860
Taken my dignity at times.
984
00:46:00,260 --> 00:46:02,140
Taken relationships.
985
00:46:04,580 --> 00:46:09,780
And it's been the biggest injustice
that I've ever faced in my life.
986
00:46:19,420 --> 00:46:21,460
(THEME MUSIC PLAYS)
987
00:46:36,540 --> 00:46:38,420
Captions by Red Bee Media
988
00:46:38,420 --> 00:46:38,660
Copyright
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Captions by Red Bee Media
989
00:46:38,660 --> 00:46:40,620
Copyright
Australian Broadcasting Corporation