Patients dying daily due to poor ‘soft skills’ among Australian surgeons, experts warn

Nearly all avoidable deaths in surgery exhibit a breakdown in communication and cooperation, research shows, as doctors call for system reform

• Get our free news app, morning email briefing or daily news podcast

More than 1,000 Australians die unnecessarily in hospital each year due to avoidable failures by surgeons, according to experts calling for a senate inquiry.

Graham Beaumont, PhD, and Dr John North are both long-term members of audit committees that review surgical mortality in Australia.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter and afternoon email to get your daily news roundup