Content warning: This story contains distressing details related to a recent death.

A grieving family has spoken out after a father’s sudden passing, blaming a Sydney hospital for discharging him too soon.

They claim he was sent home before he was ready—despite begging for more time.

Now, they’re demanding change before another loved one is lost.

‘He said “I just need more time” and they kept saying “no, you’ve got to go, we’ve got this room for someone else”,’ Brad shared..

Dennis’s family believes he would still be alive if he had been given the support he asked for.

‘(My father) needed to be in hospital, and he probably would still be with us today [if he was],’ Brad said.

Dennis Carruthers died days after hospital discharge. Image source: Youtube/7News

‘He didn’t get the attention he needed. He needed more time.’

They described the hospital as overwhelmed, with too few staff available to care for the number of patients.

‘The hospital was understaffed, health workers were under the pump and his dad was pushed out the door before his legs had time to heal,’ Brad added.

Dennis Carruthers was laid to rest at a funeral service in northwest Sydney on Monday.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park responded to the family’s concerns, offering condolences and confirming an investigation.

‘I offer my sincere condolences to the family,’ Park said.

‘Western Sydney Local Health District is urgently looking into this matter.’

Park also said Dennis had been assessed as ‘fit for discharge’ and received a home visit and follow-up care.

The family’s concerns come amid broader scrutiny of Blacktown Hospital, where issues with overcrowding and patient care have made headlines over the past year.

Recent images broadcast by 7NEWS have sparked further public outcry.

‘The situation at Blacktown Hospital is out of control,’ NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said.

State parliament is reportedly considering an inquiry, with discussions under way and actions expected within the week.

This may include a recruitment push and implementation of safer staff-to-patient ratios.

The Carruthers family hopes their loss will prompt urgent reform.

They say they want action now—‘so it doesn’t happen to someone else’s father’.

Watch their powerful message and see why they’re urging others to stay alert when it comes to hospital care.

Source: YouTube/7NEWS Australia​

This isn’t the first time a grieving family has spoken out about what they believe was a preventable death in a hospital.

When care feels rushed or corners are cut, the consequences can be devastating.

Here’s another heartbreaking case that sparked public outcry and calls for change.

Read more: Grandfather’s hospital tragedy exposes shocking negligence: ‘It’s got to stop’

Key Takeaways

• Dennis Carruthers, 82, died days after being discharged from Blacktown Hospital.
• His family claims he was released too soon while still struggling with cellulitis.
• NSW Health Minister confirmed an investigation and offered condolences.
• Calls for a parliamentary inquiry and staffing reforms at Blacktown Hospital are growing.

Losing access to care when it’s needed most can be devastating—how many more families must suffer before real change happens?

 

[Penny4]

Wonder how many days he was in the hospital, or perhaps in the emergency ward section. They would have given him strong antibiotics to take home. My son has had celllutitis a couple of times from the soil playing sport. Bacteria can transfer into the tissues. I took him straight to the Dr to get an injection and antibiotics. In saying that, I know of another man who contracted cellulitis from playing cricket (soil). He ignored the symptoms and he passed away. Perhaps this man ignored the initial symptoms too, until it was too late for the treatment to work. Or else Blacktown hospital is yet again to be blamed. Who knows.