Stewart Kelly,45,died at Robina Hospital in August last year from starvation and dehydration during a 33-day admission.
Ann Jeffery wants an inquest into the death of her son,Stewart Kelly,at Robina Hospital.Supplied
Kelly was not in a critical condition when he was taken to hospital,but he had been suffering weight loss after refusing to eat. He also needed mental health treatment.
“He was allowed to reach that critical state within the hospital system. How can that be?” his 81-year-old mother,Ann Jeffery,toldA Current Affair.
“How can someone starve to death in a hospital?”
Kelly,who lived with autism and an intellectual disability,was a keen golfer who enjoyed an active lifestyle before a sudden change in mood in early 2022 affected his appetite.
Stewart Kelly,45,died at Robina Hospital in August 2022.Supplied
He was admitted to Robina Hospital twice. On the second occasion,his family expected he would be placed on fluids and receive psychiatric treatment,which did not happen.
A Gold Coast Health spokesperson admitted “there were significant failures in the care provided to Mr Kelly”,and that “his death was preventable”.
“Open disclosure discussions have been held with his family,and we’ve offered an unreserved apology for his death,” the spokesperson said.
The matter is before the Office of the Health Ombudsman,and some hospital staff were stood down while it was investigated internally.
It was understood that no single person was considered sufficiently blameworthy to warrant referral to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency,the authority responsible for regulating the conduct of medical staff.
Robina Hospital’s internal review into Kelly’s care identified 11 failures and five lessons,which would be addressed with future staff training.
One of the most shocking findings was that he was never seen by a psychiatrist due to the lack of a paper referral.
“I want to know what’s been implemented now,15 months later,after I buried my son. What have they done in actual real terms?” Jeffery said.
She said her attempt to invoke a “Ryan’s Rule” clinical review of Kelly’s care failed,with a medical intern sent to hear her concerns.
A hospital-wide “refresher promotion campaign” on Ryan’s Rule processes for staff and consumers was recommended under the review.
Ryan’s Rule is a process within Queensland Health hospitals to help patients and their families raise concerns if a health condition is getting worse or not improving as well as expected.
“The causes of our failures were complex,and we’re committed to implementing all the recommendations from theRoot Cause Analysis report,and to learning the lessons necessary to better support patients who are neurodiverse or who have a disability,” the Gold Coast Health spokesperson said.
Jeffery believes a coroner’s inquest is required to uncover the full extent of hospital failings.
“I’m now 81,I would like some answers before I die,” she said.
“I need to know that something comes of Stewart’s death so it won’t happen to somebody again.”
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