NSW doctor referred to watchdog, following death of Indigenous man
A coroner has recommended an NSW doctor be referred to the healthcare complaints watchdog after the death of an Aboriginal man in regional New South Wales. The 36-year-old died from perforated stomach ulcers less than 24 hours after being discharged from Dubbo hospital three years ago.
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00:00Today at the NSW Coroner's Court in Sydney's West, the family and friends of Ricky Dougie
00:09Hampson gathered to hear the findings of an inquest into his death.
00:15Before the hearing, they gathered for a smoking ceremony.
00:18They said that that was to ward off bad spirits and to bring Aboriginal culture to the proceedings.
00:25After three long years of fighting for justice and change, we feel that we're finally on
00:29the path to justice after receiving these findings and recommendations, but we will
00:35never heal fully as a family until we receive justice for Dougie.
00:39Within the hearing, the Deputy State Coroner Erin Kennedy said that it was clear that Dougie
00:45was a cherished member of the family and that his death was preventable.
00:51She said that he had died from two perforated stomach ulcers after being misdiagnosed with
00:57a drug-related illness.
00:59The coroner recommended that the doctor who misdiagnosed that illness should be referred
01:05to the Healthcare Complaints Commission.
01:08While she said Aboriginality did not play a part in the treatment of Dougie, she said
01:13cultural practices needed to change within Dubbo Hospital, including face-to-face training.
01:20She also recommended policy changes across NSW.
01:24The family have welcomed the recommendations from the coroner and said systemic change
01:31needs to happen.