A damning review by the Qld's Office of the Health Ombudsman has revealed the systemic issues that lead to the 2017 death of a six-year-old Torres Strait Islander boy.
I can't see that this is an issue of cultural sensitivity. In what culture, anywhere, would a doctor as an individual or a hospital as a system claim this utterly disgraceful lack of appropriate care to be CORRECT? NONE. The area deserves competent and responsible medical care who follow best practices and nationwide guidelines the same as everyone else. They did not get that. They deserved better then and they deserve better now. That gorgeous little boy should have had proper investigations when he first arrived, followed up by an aggressive stepping up of investigations and escalation of care upon representation. Every doctor in that hospital should be having a swift and hard review of their medical licence because this little boys blood is on their hands and they apparently are still apathetic even knowing that.
You are right George - I see it as an issue of systemic racism. I don’t think this will be the end. This piece is based on the findings of the Ombudsman’s report which made this findings
You are so correct Amy, this will not be the end. Complaints, reviews, reports, recommendations and promises regarding neglect (malpractice) of this nature - as you know - have been happening for too many decades.
The more that people such as yourself are able to highlight such horrific issues and outcomes, the more hope there is that public outrage may lead to genuine and positive changes. Changes not just in policy but in actual practice.
Hey Astrid - I am so sorry to hear that... that is heartbreaking and makes me so angry. If you would like to talk more my email is amygracemcquire@gmail.com
Very sad Astrid at the loss of your boy. Angry that the people employed to give care are placed in locations where they act like they don't give a damn. 🥀
Devastating 😢 condolences to the family who would not be grieving had their little boy received the medical care he deserved and that white Australians would expect
Its indeed a tragedy that could have been avoided if health care workers had exercised a duty of care that is an essential component for front line service delivery. No family should be subjected to such treatment in a country that prides itself in being up there as one of the global leaders in health care delivery, research and development. Condolences to the family of the young boy who have shown great courage and conviction in taking this issue to the next level. I dare say that the country would be in an uproar if it involved a non-indigenous family.
This goes far beyond a lack of cultural sensitivity, which implies a need for special cultural knowledge. This is disgraceful treatment, whomever is receiving it. The doctors and staff responsible should be deregistered. The family should receive sufficient compensation that they are never again hostage to such incompetence.
This isn’t about Cultural Awareness the Child. Was sick it should have been addressed immediately. My assumption people who may work in these area’s relationships incompetent. Alarm bells should have been ringing once the parents continued to present at hospital. Staff Alarm bells immediately ringing disgusting. I hope their conscious haunt them for the rest of their lives. As for a Dr total incompetence from Qld Health. By the way I worked in Hospitals for 30 yrs now retired.
Absolutely appalling mistreatment and disregard to a seriously ill little boy and his deeply distressed parents in this day and age!! I have seen posters warning of the risk of melioidosis in the wet season in Cape York. How could they turn away a severely and distressed child? If the medical staff looked and listened properly, surely the symptoms would have pointed to this severe infection. The attendibg staff need to be de-registered as health practitioners.
Sadly Anthony there are hundreds possibly thousands of neglectful cases like this the breadth of these lands. Many never get reviewed and the neglect is 'buried'.
Dreadful. Amy, if you are in contact with the family please let them know that many, many ppl from all cultural backgrounds are appalled by their experience and grieve with them.
I can't see that this is an issue of cultural sensitivity. In what culture, anywhere, would a doctor as an individual or a hospital as a system claim this utterly disgraceful lack of appropriate care to be CORRECT? NONE. The area deserves competent and responsible medical care who follow best practices and nationwide guidelines the same as everyone else. They did not get that. They deserved better then and they deserve better now. That gorgeous little boy should have had proper investigations when he first arrived, followed up by an aggressive stepping up of investigations and escalation of care upon representation. Every doctor in that hospital should be having a swift and hard review of their medical licence because this little boys blood is on their hands and they apparently are still apathetic even knowing that.
You are right George - I see it as an issue of systemic racism. I don’t think this will be the end. This piece is based on the findings of the Ombudsman’s report which made this findings
You are so correct Amy, this will not be the end. Complaints, reviews, reports, recommendations and promises regarding neglect (malpractice) of this nature - as you know - have been happening for too many decades.
The more that people such as yourself are able to highlight such horrific issues and outcomes, the more hope there is that public outrage may lead to genuine and positive changes. Changes not just in policy but in actual practice.
Where is the Love?
My son died of the same thing and exactly the same way. Took him to Palm Is Hospital 3 times and 3 times they refused. He died two weeks later.
Hey Astrid - I am so sorry to hear that... that is heartbreaking and makes me so angry. If you would like to talk more my email is amygracemcquire@gmail.com
That's terrible Astrid. Am sorry i am part of a society that allows this to happen
Very sad Astrid at the loss of your boy. Angry that the people employed to give care are placed in locations where they act like they don't give a damn. 🥀
That’s aweful
Devastating 😢 condolences to the family who would not be grieving had their little boy received the medical care he deserved and that white Australians would expect
Its indeed a tragedy that could have been avoided if health care workers had exercised a duty of care that is an essential component for front line service delivery. No family should be subjected to such treatment in a country that prides itself in being up there as one of the global leaders in health care delivery, research and development. Condolences to the family of the young boy who have shown great courage and conviction in taking this issue to the next level. I dare say that the country would be in an uproar if it involved a non-indigenous family.
This goes far beyond a lack of cultural sensitivity, which implies a need for special cultural knowledge. This is disgraceful treatment, whomever is receiving it. The doctors and staff responsible should be deregistered. The family should receive sufficient compensation that they are never again hostage to such incompetence.
This isn’t about Cultural Awareness the Child. Was sick it should have been addressed immediately. My assumption people who may work in these area’s relationships incompetent. Alarm bells should have been ringing once the parents continued to present at hospital. Staff Alarm bells immediately ringing disgusting. I hope their conscious haunt them for the rest of their lives. As for a Dr total incompetence from Qld Health. By the way I worked in Hospitals for 30 yrs now retired.
Absolutely appalling mistreatment and disregard to a seriously ill little boy and his deeply distressed parents in this day and age!! I have seen posters warning of the risk of melioidosis in the wet season in Cape York. How could they turn away a severely and distressed child? If the medical staff looked and listened properly, surely the symptoms would have pointed to this severe infection. The attendibg staff need to be de-registered as health practitioners.
My heart bleeds for this poor boy. Racism kills!
If I was told this story I would think it had happened in a different country. Or it was made up. Very sad.
Sadly Anthony there are hundreds possibly thousands of neglectful cases like this the breadth of these lands. Many never get reviewed and the neglect is 'buried'.
So many stories 'Australia' will not hear.
Dreadful. Amy, if you are in contact with the family please let them know that many, many ppl from all cultural backgrounds are appalled by their experience and grieve with them.