Support for Carroll Family

Media Statement 10 July 2007

Support for Carroll Family

The family of a man who was mortally injured after he was left unattended and climbed out of bed at Christchurch hospital last year, is supporting the establishment of a trust which would raise money to hold hospitals medically accountable.

David Jones’ Family is right behind Dave and Sheree Carroll, whose son Dean died the day after he was sent home from Christchurch Hospital’s ED earlier this year.

This morning, Dave Carroll said he hopes there is support for such a trust, which would need to lobby the Government to make changes to the ACC legislation, which would put accountability back on to hospitals.

Siân Jones is appalled, but not surprised by the apparent theme of the independent report on the tragedy suffered by Dean Carroll, his family and partner.

“It appears to have cleared the hospital of negligence while outlining failures related to the care he received. You can’t have your cake and eat it. This is classic buck passing. An “all care and no responsibility” response which has become all too common. This sort of thing has to stop,” she says. “I believe the report found the same level of care would have been received at any other New Zealand Hospital. If that’s the case, I would suggest the whole country should be extremely concerned. Simply being ‘standard practice’ does not make it the right practice.”

“We are still fighting for our dad and for others who, if things do not change, may suffer the same fate he did which was directly related to the failures of those we trust to care for our loved ones,” she says.

Siân, sister Ali and brother Huw are looking at developing a website to help people know what their rights are, and to provide some level of support and community for those who have had similar experiences and are not receiving the support or information from the very agencies set up to assist them.

“We have been contacted by people who are beside themselves with stress and confusion because they don’t know what to do or where to go, they feel they are living in a vacuum and no one seems willing to help them, or address the issues. They have been told they can’t see the medical records of their family members, they have been told they don’t have certain rights – which we know, from experience, they do. It is time someone did something to provide help from outside the “establishment” as Mr Carroll is suggesting,” Siân Jones says.

The Jones family have made contact with the Carroll family to offer support and help in establishing a trust for victims of medical negligence.

ENDS

BACKGROUND:

In early July 2006, after his GP prescribed codeine for pain, 67 year old David Jones became disorientated and sedated to the point of stupor.

Although he had been living with prostate cancer for almost 14 years, prior to taking codeine on this one occasion, he had only been taking Panadol and Voltaren for pain if and when he needed it. Prior to the codeine, David Jones was an articulate, intelligent, mobile man who, among other things, often cared for his grandchildren - aged seven, three and one-year-old.

He was admitted to Christchurch hospital and soon afterwards, it became obvious to his family that his confusion, hallucinations and physical instability, meant David could injure himself, if he was left alone.

“Dad was trying to get out of bed while confused and weak on his legs, so Ali and I (supported by mum), took turns over three days, 24 hours a day, sitting with dad, to ensure his safety,” says Siân.

Fortunately Alison was on pre-arranged holiday leave and Siân's workplace was very accommodating with her request for some time off. After three days, the hospital told the family they were able to provide a "special", a dedicated, 24 hour, round the clock sitter for their father / husband. The daughters provided 24 hr contact details for themselves and reiterated that should there be any need to get in touch, for whatever reason, they were to be contacted.

Siân made it clear that she lived literally around the corner from the hospital and had made arrangements with her employer to work from home, in case she was needed at the hospital as had been the case on one previous occasion when she had been called in at 2am. Assurances were given that they would be contacted if necessary.

A few hours after the family left the hospital, Pat (David’s wife) received a phone call with the dreadful news that David had climbed off the end of his bed and fallen headfirst, causing swelling and extensive bruising. The sitter had been called away and not been permitted to return as she was required in another part of the hospital.

In the following days, weeks and months, it became obvious that this respected, retired barrister, a man described by friends and colleagues as an "absolute gentleman", would never survive this massive assault on his body.

His system stared to shut down. Not straight away, but gradually over the next 4-6 weeks. A broken femur and brain contusion, suffered when he hit the ward's concrete floor face first, meant he would never again return to his pre-hospital admission condition. What followed was a slow and undignified decent into his eventual death on September 26th, 2006.

"He had fought his cancer so bravely and selflessly”, Pat Jones says. "What happened to him is inexcusable. Everyone has the right to fight to live. Everyone has the right to expect to be safe in hospital. No-one should have to suffer particularly when an outcome is entirely absolutely preventable. This should not ever happen to anyone, ever again," she says.

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