I'm posting this here because I'm not sure where else to go.
My friend is in a Melbourne hospital and deteriorating rapidly due to negligence from some (not all) of the doctors there, and I feel like they need some kind of advocate to stand up to the staff to hold them accountable for her treatment.
I can't give details due to their concerns for anonymity, but right now I just need to know what options they have regarding what is clear malpractice.
In Queensland the is "Ryan's Rule" which, when enacted, forces a nurse or doctor to undertake a clinical review of the patient and the treatment they are receiving.
https://www.qld.gov.au/health/support/shared-decision-making/ryans-rule
In Victoria, we have the health complaints commissioner but apparently they don't seem to have much power and just try to act as a mediator?
This situation is honestly quite urgent imo, so any advice would be so appreciated right now.
Thanks so much for anyone who can help!
Posted by Superfasty
24 Comments
Sorry don’t have any advice to give, but you might have more luck posting in r/AusLegal
Is there a possibility of moving her to another hospital?
Not sure about your situation.
Is it possible to transfer to a diffent hospital? Do they have private health care?
Can you ask for the Patient Liaison Officer at the Hospital? That would be my first step.
Can you get in touch with the patient experience team?
Another option is the urgent concern helpline
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/patient-care/urgent-concern-helpline#:~:text=If%20you've%20spoken%20to,Helpline%20on%2013%2082%2045.
They may be able to advise.
Edit because hit send too soon.
That phoneline is for under 18s and in pilot phase at the moment, but might be able to provide advice on what to do to escalate things.
I would give a phone call to ABC, The Age, etc.
“My friend is dying and the hospital doesn’t care” is a decent headline. You’re not going to get change through “proper channels” – the hospitals don’t have the resources to care about your concerns.
That said a CEO will have alarm bells ringing if they see their hospital flagged in media mentions for poor doctor conduct/etc.
A call to a local MP as well – as long as they’re in government – can help in public hospital situations to get a “WTF is going on” message through to the hospital.
Edit: Amazing to get downvoted for this. Squeaky wheels get the grease – go and talk to outlets that will amplify the story.
Is it physical or mental health? I know resources for mental health advocacy and can provide some advice in that regard. You can DM me if that is helpful for you.
I can’t think of any fast helpful suggestions, but if you can, I’d start recording/writing down/documenting everything they do. Record the names of all attending doctors so that they know they will be held accountable. Make it clear that they’re being closely monitored.
You didn’t mention which hospital, which may help and not risk anyone’s anonymity.
Ramsay Health hospitals have ‘Ramsay’s Rule’s which is the same as Ryan’s Rule.
https://www.ramsayhealth.com.au/en/patients/hospital-care/rights-and-responsibilities/
Support and advice in hospital | Better Health Channel https://share.google/hMaDIzvka3ApF5Pws
All Victorian hospitals have a patient liaison officer (they may go by a slightly different title though).
Ask to be put in contact with that department and they will guide you.
If they feel they are not getting the care they need them need to leave (if possible). If they are not capable of expressing this themselves please appoint another medical treatment and decision maker and get the ball rolling immediately.
If they are not stable enough to leave they will have to try and arrange care at another hospital – this will involve another batch of doctors/nurses (care team) and patient transport. Does your mate have a private doctor that will advocate on their behalf? If so, they need to get involved immediately.
I don’t know what you’re going through but I sympathise. If you need social work or patient liaison, I would try them first. Is your relative from a cultural or language diverse group (not anglo?)?
Curious as to what the surgery is given only select hospitals seem willing to perform it, if it was quality of life or straight up life threatening you think everywhere would be happy to do it, no? I worry for the patients quality of care post op
I would start by talking to the social workers at the hospital.
The hospital will have an escalation process for when you are not happy with your care and this should be clearly documented all over the hospital. There are usually posters in the lifts for example and it should be on the paperwork your friend was given on admission. It will usually be
1. Talk to a nurse
2. Talk to the nurse in charge
3. Talk to (patient liaison team / patient safety team / other name depending on specific hospital).
If you google [hospital name] and “patient safety” or “complaints” you should get to a web page that describes the process and gives a phone number. Here’s the one for the Austin as an example:
https://www.austin.org.au/keeping-you-safe/
Depending on the hospital they will have an escalation process and team, it might be called PACE or REACH – you will need to know some details like what ward/bed your friend is in, but these services are specifically for patients and their family/support people. If you call the main hospital number and ask how to request an escalation, you should be able to get onto the right people to voice your request.
Speak to the general manager of the hospital. Request a doctor and nurse not involved in treatment reviews all actions taken to date. Call as many times as you need to.
I did this when I felt my dad was being improperly treated in hospital when we were in lock down.
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> My friend is in a Melbourne hospital and deteriorating rapidly **due to negligence from some (not all) of the doctors there**, and I feel like they need some kind of advocate to stand up to the staff to hold them accountable for her treatment.
I’m no expert, but who’s making that call? Whose opinion are you basing the negligence claim on?
By all means speak with the patient advocate but as an outsider with no first hand knowledge of the situation, I’m inclined to back the medical staff.
RMH is 1800 WORRIED for anyone that ever needs this. It’s a phone number that anyone can ring and you’re put in touch with a senior clinician to discuss your concerns.
What’s “clear malpractice”?
As others have said every Victorian hospital is required by law to have an internal escalation process.
1800 WORRIED for Royal Melbourne Hospital
– C.A.R.E (Call and Respond Early)
– R.E.A.C.H
– P.A.C.E
Etc etc.
The issue is that it isn’t standardised like NSW or QLD.
My advice is the same as others which is to do your research with the specific hospital name.
You should also see posters in the hospital rooms or corridors with some form of patient advocacy.
My other piece of advice though is, if you are truly worried about your friend, don’t wait on them to advocate for themselves, escalate it yourself.
“I feel like they need some kind of advocate to stand up to the staff ” – That person is you.
I would rather ’embarrass’ my friend by escalating than spend the rest of my life wishing there was more I could have done if the worst was to happen.
Speak to your local member
Wherever you are there should be a number you can call, under the REACH program. There should be signs up displaying the program, or an equivalent. That’s the equivalent of Ryan’s rule here. patient family/carer concern escalation is part of the safer care Victoria guidelines and the hospitals should have an avenue for you to escalate that way.
Personally I would ask a nurse, or the nurse in charge, what that number is where you are, if the signs aren’t available, or if there’s an equivalent way to get a second opinion.