Coroner's Inquest Reveals Systemic Failures in Indigenous Healthcare After Tragic Death

A coroner’s inquest into the tragic death of Ricky "Dougie" Hampson has raised serious concerns regarding the standards of care provided to Indigenous patients within the New South Wales healthcare system. Hampson, a 36-year-old father of eight from the Kamilaroi-Dunghutti community, died from ruptured stomach ulcers on August 16, 2021, less than a day after being discharged from Dubbo Base Hospital. He had been misdiagnosed by emergency physician Sokol Nushaj, who attributed his symptoms to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a condition associated with excessive cannabis use, despite Hampson not exhibiting key symptoms such as nausea or vomiting. During the inquest, Deputy State Coroner Erin Kennedy emphasized that Hampson’s death was preventable, noting that the medical staff had failed to recognize the critical symptoms indicating a more serious condition. In her findings delivered on Tuesday, she recommended that Dr. Nushaj be referred to the Health Care Complaints Commission for potential unsatisfactory professional conduct, highlighting a need for accountability within the healthcare system. The coroner also pointed out that while she did not find explicit racial bias in Hampson's treatment, the healthcare system’s approach to Indigenous patients must be reevaluated. "No real attention was actually given to Dougie's Aboriginality," she stated, reinforcing the point that a “colourblind” approach to treatment can lead to dire consequences for communities that already experience poorer health outcomes. The inquest found that Hampson’s Indigenous identity should have been a significant factor in his medical assessment and treatment. Dr. Nushaj admitted that “cognitive bias” played a role in his misdiagnosis, suggesting that his recognition of agitation and pain led him to overlook other possible explanations for Hampson’s condition. Compounding the error, Hampson was administered the sedative droperidol, which masked his pain and further complicated the medical assessment. In light of these findings, Hampson’s family expressed their outrage at the systemic failures that led to their loved one’s death. His father, Rick Hampson, voiced the frustration felt by the family, stating, “Me and my family are so outraged at the thought of Dougie being surrounded by so many doctors, nurses, medical professionals for 18 hours who had the skills, resources and knowledge to save his life.” The inquest has prompted recommendations aimed at improving the healthcare experience for Indigenous patients, such as the establishment of a standing Indigenous consultation and advisory group within the Western NSW Local Health District. It also urged NSW Health to consider amending its practices to ensure that the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status of patients is clearly communicated to all medical staff. This heartbreaking case shines a light on the systemic issues within the healthcare system that disproportionately affect Indigenous Australians. As the community seeks justice for Dougie Hampson, there is a pressing need for systemic reform to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated in the future. The call for greater awareness and consideration of cultural factors in medical treatment could pave the way for improved health outcomes for Indigenous peoples in New South Wales and beyond.