Patients who received surgical treatment at Western District Health Service’s Hamilton Base Hospital between December 2024 and November 2025 may want to seek confidential legal advice, following the referral of a surgeon to Australia’s health regulator. What happened According to reporting by The Standard, Western District Health Service (WDHS) contacted the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) regarding Associate Professor Ned S Abraham, a colorectal and general surgeon who worked at Hamilton Base Hospital from December 2024 to November 2025. The referral followed a surgical complication involving a patient. AHPRA has confirmed there are currently conditions on Associate Professor Abraham’s registration, including a condition around information-sharing between Medicare Australia and the Medical Council of NSW to monitor his compliance. Those conditions were reportedly already in place on his registration at the time of the surgery in question. WDHS has said Associate Professor Abraham’s work at the hospital was within scope and that its surgeons are properly credentialled, and has stated the matter is now under review by AHPRA. Associate Professor Abraham has said he made appropriate referrals after the complication, discussed it openly with the patient and their family, and apologised for what he described as a judgement error. AHPRA’s review is ongoing and no outcome has yet been reached. How Arnold Thomas & Becker can help Our Warrnambool office has been following this matter closely. As our principal lawyer Nicole Elliott-Struth explains, our role is simply to listen and help people work out where they stand: “Our role is to listen, review information carefully, and help people understand whether their experience warrants independent legal advice.” If you or a family member received treatment from Associate Professor Abraham at Hamilton Base Hospital during this period, and you have questions or concerns about your care, you don’t need to have made up your mind about taking any action to talk to us. Every enquiry is confidential and obligation-free, and there’s no cost to find out where you stand. Medical negligence claims can be complex, and every patient’s situation is different. Speaking with an experienced lawyer early can help you understand your options, timeframes, and what evidence might support a claim, without any pressure to proceed. Concerned about your treatment at Hamilton Base Hospital? If you were treated at Western District Health Service between December 2024 and November 2025 and have questions about your care, get in touch with our Warrnambool team today for a confidential, no-obligation conversation. Call 1300 333 300 or enquire online to speak with a member of our medical negligence team. If you don’t win, there’s no fee.