Health Minister slammed as 'insensitive' after reports made public 'without consent of family'

Pressure is increasing for NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner to be stood down or sacked over the gas mix-up at Bankstown Hospital that killed a baby boy.

The parents of baby John Ghanem have been left with ‘added stress’ after the final report on the infant’s death was made public without their consent, according to the family lawyer.

In emails between the Ghanem’s family lawyer Stephen Mainstone and the lawyer for the health department, Mr Mainstone requested that the report be kept private until the middle of the week to give the family time to come to terms with the findings.

Instead, the report was released just 24 hours later, with Mrs Skinner under the impression the Ghanem family had given their blessing to have it released on Saturday morning.

"I apologise if the report being put out when it was didn't give you sufficient time, I was clearly under the impression that you'd asked for 24 hours,” the minister said on Sunday in an apology.

“If you've not be able to absorb what it contains, I'm sorry. As I understand it, the family had asked for 24 hours to take in the report and consider it."

Mr Mainstone argued the report was released without the final nod from the grieving couple and said he has the evidence to prove it.

In an email written by Mr Mainstone and sent to the Health Department on Friday, the report was asked to be delayed until “mid next week”.

"I will not be in a position to meet with the family to discuss the reports until sometime mid next week, so I would like your client’s assurance that until we advise you that we have spoken with the family, the reports WILL NOT be released publicly,” the email read.

Mr Mainstone said the treatment of the family was arrogant and hurtful.

"It's placed more stress on them on top of what they've already got to deal with in relation to the death of their son,” he said.

The Minister maintained that the family approved the 24-hour time limit before they had even received the report – a claim swiftly rejected by the family’s lawyer.

“I can certainly indicate that the Ghanem family have not had direct contact with the Minister's office in relation to that undertaking,” Mr Mainstone said.

Despite her apology, Mrs Skinner hasn’t been let off the hook.

Opposition Luke Foley said it was time for a new health minister.

"Her insensitivity's breathtaking, it's grotesque, she's just compounding the grief that this family's going through.

"This state needs a new health minister. Mike Baird, appoint one today!”

In a statement, Premier Mike Baird declared his support for Mrs Skinner.

“She is one of the best Health Ministers this State has had,” the statement read. “She continues to have my full confidence.”