Sick to Death is a true crime serial from The Australian, hosted by investigative reporter Hedley Thomas. It tells the story of Dr Jayant Patel, who ran Bundaberg Hospital in the early 2000s despite a US surgical ban, and the nurse who spoke out. The show has 22 episodes, roughly weekly, with median length near 62 minutes. Estimated downloads are 20,000 to 80,000 per episode, with a rate of $360 to $2,000 per episode.
Premium true crime serial from a leading Australian newsroom, with strong ratings
- 306 Apple ratings with a 4.1 average, indicating an engaged listener base
- Serial format with roughly 60-minute episodes gives long listening sessions for a host-read spot
- Backed by The Australian and Hedley Thomas, a recognised investigative brand
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- narrative, serial documentary, bonus behind-the-scenes
- Tone
- serious, investigative
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 50 to 65 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- The Australian
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- No
No sponsor mentions found in the feed; the description promotes the publisher's own subscription offer for early access.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Episode titles such as 'The Poisoned Wife' and 'The Bloodletting' indicate murder and harm content that is serious but not graphic in the feed data.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | www.theaustralian.com.au/ |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1851107982 |
| RSS feed | www.omnycontent.com/d/playlist/2fb3740d-3436-44a… |
Benchmark score: 8 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| The Poisoned Wife – and a cop who didn’t buy her husband’s story | 2026-09-13 | 17 min |
| Bonus Episode 5: The Last Word | 2026-04-16 | 1 h 3 min |
| Bonus Episode 4: The Waiting Game | 2026-04-09 | 1 h 10 min |
| Episode 16: Dear Dr Patel | 2026-03-13 | 53 min |
| Episode 15: The Collapse | 2026-03-13 | 59 min |
| Episode 14: Payback | 2026-03-13 | 54 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 36 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.
They called him ‘Doctor Death’: a surgeon charged with saving lives, but accused of taking them instead. Dr Jayant Patel ruled over Bundaberg Hospital for two years in the early 2000s, despite being banned from surgical practice in the United States. This gripping true account is the story that set Gold Walkley Award-winning journalist Hedley Thomas on his path to becoming Australia’s most…
About Sick to Death
Sick to Death is a true crime serial published by The Australian and hosted by investigative reporter Hedley Thomas, according to the show feed and its website. Based on his bestselling book, it tells the story of Dr Jayant Patel, who led Bundaberg Hospital in the early 2000s, and the nurse who refused to stay silent.
The show has 22 episodes released roughly every seven days, with typical episodes running about 62 minutes and some bonus episodes. Apple Podcasts lists 306 ratings with an average of 4.1 out of 5, per the Apple Podcasts listing.
Listener numbers are not published. Based on rating counts and publisher reach, the show is estimated at 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode, and the audience is likely Australian adults aged 35 and over. No sponsors were seen in the feed. An estimated host-read rate of $360 to $2,000 per episode would suit premium consumer, financial and health-adjacent brands.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Sick to Death can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Sick to Death
How much does Sick to Death charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on an estimated 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll is estimated at $360 to $2,000 per episode. Final pricing depends on the show's current terms and placement.
What is Sick to Death about?
Sick to Death is a true crime serial from The Australian about Dr Jayant Patel, who ran Bundaberg Hospital despite a US surgical ban, and the nurse who exposed what happened.
How do I contact Sick to Death about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80, and boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked.
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