Content warning: This story discusses themes some members may find distressing. Discretion is advised.

The tragic case of Stewart Kelly, a man medically diagnosed with autism who allegedly starved to death in an Australian hospital, has raised serious questions about the treatment of neurodiverse patients in the healthcare system.

His mother, Ann Jeffry, believes that her son's disability may have contributed to his untimely death, sparking a broader conversation about the rights and care of individuals with mental health conditions in medical settings.

Stewart Kelly, 45, passed away in Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast in August 2022, after suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration.

Despite spending 33 days in the hospital, including 20 in intensive care, Kelly was allegedly never treated for his mental health issues, which led to his refusal to eat.

His mother, Ann Jeffry, 81, is now demanding answers.

Stewart Kelly has passed away in Robina Hospital due to severe malnutrition and dehydration. Image source: A Current Affair.

Jeffry asked in an interview with A Current Affair: 'He was allowed to reach that critical state within the hospital system. How can that be?'

'How can someone starve to death in a hospital?'

Jeffry believes that her son was denied the care he needed due to his disability.

'I feel that he was cheated out of 40 years more of his life. I felt that the joy had gone out of my life. I felt that he had been left to die possibly because of his disability,' she said.

More than a year after her son's death, Jeffry is calling for transparency and accountability from the hospital.

She wants to know what measures have been put in place to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

In response to the incident, a Gold Coast Health spokesperson acknowledged that Kelly's death was preventable and admitted to significant failures in the care provided.

'Open disclosure discussions have been held with his family, and we’ve offered an unreserved apology for his death.'

'The causes of our failures were complex, and…we're committed to implementing all the recommendations from the RCA (Root Cause Analysis) report and to learning the lessons necessary to better support patients who are neuro-diverse or who have a disability,' the spokesperson said.

You can watch the full report on Stewart Kelly’s death below:

Video source: Youtube/A Current Affair.​

Kelly's tragic death is currently under investigation by the Queensland Office of Health Ombudsman, the agency responsible for handling health services complaints.

His case is not an isolated incident, as Robina Hospital has recently been linked to several preventable patient deaths.

In October, former Police Officer Kevin Farr (68) was killed in the dementia ward after being attacked by another patient.

In November, an 86-year-old aged care patient allegedly suffering from delirium died after jumping off a balcony.

The Intersection of Mental Health and Medical Care

The tragic case of Stewart Kelly highlighted the critical intersection of mental health and medical care.

It underscores the urgent need for healthcare providers to understand and address the unique needs of neurodiverse patients and those with mental health conditions.

Mental health conditions can significantly impact a patient's ability to communicate, understand, and participate in their care.

In Kelly's case, his autism may have contributed to his refusal to eat, a symptom that allegedly was not adequately addressed during his hospital stay.

Healthcare providers must be equipped with the knowledge and resources to provide comprehensive care to all patients, regardless of their mental health status.

This includes understanding the unique challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals and implementing strategies to ensure their physical and mental health needs are met.

The tragic death of Stewart Kelly serves as a stark reminder of the work that needs to be done to ensure equal and compassionate care for all patients. It's a call to action for healthcare providers to reassess their practices and policies, particularly when it comes to the care of neurodiverse patients and those with mental health conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Stewart Kelly, a man diagnosed with autism, died in Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast from severe malnutrition and dehydration in August 2022 after a 33-day stay.
• His mother, Ann Jeffry, believes he was allowed to starve to death due to neglect related to his disability.
• A Gold Coast Health spokesperson acknowledged the failure in care, stating Mr Kelly's death was preventable and that changes are being implemented from the RCA (Root Cause Analysis) report.
• Robina Hospital has also recently experienced other cases where preventable patient deaths have occurred, which prompted an investigation by the Queensland Office of Health Ombudsman.

What are your thoughts on this tragic incident? Have you or a loved one experienced similar issues in the healthcare system? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.

 

[Sockjoan]

Content warning: This story discusses themes some members may find distressing. Discretion is advised.

The tragic case of Stewart Kelly, a man medically diagnosed with autism who allegedly starved to death in an Australian hospital, has raised serious questions about the treatment of neurodiverse patients in the healthcare system.

His mother, Ann Jeffry, believes that her son's disability may have contributed to his untimely death, sparking a broader conversation about the rights and care of individuals with mental health conditions in medical settings.

Stewart Kelly, 45, passed away in Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast in August 2022, after suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration.

Despite spending 33 days in the hospital, including 20 in intensive care, Kelly was allegedly never treated for his mental health issues, which led to his refusal to eat.

His mother, Ann Jeffry, 81, is now demanding answers.

View attachment 36853

Stewart Kelly has passed away in Robina Hospital due to severe malnutrition and dehydration. Image source: A Current Affair.

Jeffry asked in an interview with A Current Affair: 'He was allowed to reach that critical state within the hospital system. How can that be?'

'How can someone starve to death in a hospital?'

Jeffry believes that her son was denied the care he needed due to his disability.

'I feel that he was cheated out of 40 years more of his life. I felt that the joy had gone out of my life. I felt that he had been left to die possibly because of his disability,' she said.

More than a year after her son's death, Jeffry is calling for transparency and accountability from the hospital.

She wants to know what measures have been put in place to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

In response to the incident, a Gold Coast Health spokesperson acknowledged that Kelly's death was preventable and admitted to significant failures in the care provided.

'Open disclosure discussions have been held with his family, and we’ve offered an unreserved apology for his death.'

'The causes of our failures were complex, and…we're committed to implementing all the recommendations from the RCA (Root Cause Analysis) report and to learning the lessons necessary to better support patients who are neuro-diverse or who have a disability,' the spokesperson said.

You can watch the full report on Stewart Kelly’s death below:

Video source: Youtube/A Current Affair.​

Kelly's tragic death is currently under investigation by the Queensland Office of Health Ombudsman, the agency responsible for handling health services complaints.

His case is not an isolated incident, as Robina Hospital has recently been linked to several preventable patient deaths.

In October, former Police Officer Kevin Farr (68) was killed in the dementia ward after being attacked by another patient.

In November, an 86-year-old aged care patient allegedly suffering from delirium died after jumping off a balcony.

The Intersection of Mental Health and Medical Care

The tragic case of Stewart Kelly highlighted the critical intersection of mental health and medical care.

It underscores the urgent need for healthcare providers to understand and address the unique needs of neurodiverse patients and those with mental health conditions.

Mental health conditions can significantly impact a patient's ability to communicate, understand, and participate in their care.

In Kelly's case, his autism may have contributed to his refusal to eat, a symptom that allegedly was not adequately addressed during his hospital stay.

Healthcare providers must be equipped with the knowledge and resources to provide comprehensive care to all patients, regardless of their mental health status.

This includes understanding the unique challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals and implementing strategies to ensure their physical and mental health needs are met.

The tragic death of Stewart Kelly serves as a stark reminder of the work that needs to be done to ensure equal and compassionate care for all patients. It's a call to action for healthcare providers to reassess their practices and policies, particularly when it comes to the care of neurodiverse patients and those with mental health conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Stewart Kelly, a man diagnosed with autism, died in Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast from severe malnutrition and dehydration in August 2022 after a 33-day stay.
• His mother, Ann Jeffry, believes he was allowed to starve to death due to neglect related to his disability.
• A Gold Coast Health spokesperson acknowledged the failure in care, stating Mr Kelly's death was preventable and that changes are being implemented from the RCA (Root Cause Analysis) report.
• Robina Hospital has also recently experienced other cases where preventable patient deaths have occurred, which prompted an investigation by the Queensland Office of Health Ombudsman.

What are your thoughts on this tragic incident? Have you or a loved one experienced similar issues in the healthcare system? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.

People with apraxia (i.e. non-verbal people) are a challenge for carers. My husband died with dementia, and was unable to speak or understand for at least a year before his death. He was cared for in the dementia wing of his aged-care home. Towards the end he needed to be fed; I tried to be there as much as possible, as there were several residents who needed feeding, and not enough staff to attend adequately to all of them.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Despite spending 33 days in the hospital, including 20 in intensive care, Kelly was allegedly never treated for his mental health issues, which led to his refusal to eat.

Whoa! This really hits close to home! My Dad died of malnutrition in a Sydney nursing home from complications due to Alzheimer's, weighing half his normal body weight. He just forgot he had to eat to survive.

 

[marni]

This is so sad - Dementia is also such a difficult journey - for both the patient and their family

 

[gamiry]

Content warning: This story discusses themes some members may find distressing. Discretion is advised.

The tragic case of Stewart Kelly, a man medically diagnosed with autism who allegedly starved to death in an Australian hospital, has raised serious questions about the treatment of neurodiverse patients in the healthcare system.

His mother, Ann Jeffry, believes that her son's disability may have contributed to his untimely death, sparking a broader conversation about the rights and care of individuals with mental health conditions in medical settings.

Stewart Kelly, 45, passed away in Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast in August 2022, after suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration.

Despite spending 33 days in the hospital, including 20 in intensive care, Kelly was allegedly never treated for his mental health issues, which led to his refusal to eat.

His mother, Ann Jeffry, 81, is now demanding answers.

View attachment 36853

Stewart Kelly has passed away in Robina Hospital due to severe malnutrition and dehydration. Image source: A Current Affair.

Jeffry asked in an interview with A Current Affair: 'He was allowed to reach that critical state within the hospital system. How can that be?'

'How can someone starve to death in a hospital?'

Jeffry believes that her son was denied the care he needed due to his disability.

'I feel that he was cheated out of 40 years more of his life. I felt that the joy had gone out of my life. I felt that he had been left to die possibly because of his disability,' she said.

More than a year after her son's death, Jeffry is calling for transparency and accountability from the hospital.

She wants to know what measures have been put in place to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

In response to the incident, a Gold Coast Health spokesperson acknowledged that Kelly's death was preventable and admitted to significant failures in the care provided.

'Open disclosure discussions have been held with his family, and we’ve offered an unreserved apology for his death.'

'The causes of our failures were complex, and…we're committed to implementing all the recommendations from the RCA (Root Cause Analysis) report and to learning the lessons necessary to better support patients who are neuro-diverse or who have a disability,' the spokesperson said.

You can watch the full report on Stewart Kelly’s death below:

Video source: Youtube/A Current Affair.​

Kelly's tragic death is currently under investigation by the Queensland Office of Health Ombudsman, the agency responsible for handling health services complaints.

His case is not an isolated incident, as Robina Hospital has recently been linked to several preventable patient deaths.

In October, former Police Officer Kevin Farr (68) was killed in the dementia ward after being attacked by another patient.

In November, an 86-year-old aged care patient allegedly suffering from delirium died after jumping off a balcony.

The Intersection of Mental Health and Medical Care

The tragic case of Stewart Kelly highlighted the critical intersection of mental health and medical care.

It underscores the urgent need for healthcare providers to understand and address the unique needs of neurodiverse patients and those with mental health conditions.

Mental health conditions can significantly impact a patient's ability to communicate, understand, and participate in their care.

In Kelly's case, his autism may have contributed to his refusal to eat, a symptom that allegedly was not adequately addressed during his hospital stay.

Healthcare providers must be equipped with the knowledge and resources to provide comprehensive care to all patients, regardless of their mental health status.

This includes understanding the unique challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals and implementing strategies to ensure their physical and mental health needs are met.

The tragic death of Stewart Kelly serves as a stark reminder of the work that needs to be done to ensure equal and compassionate care for all patients. It's a call to action for healthcare providers to reassess their practices and policies, particularly when it comes to the care of neurodiverse patients and those with mental health conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Stewart Kelly, a man diagnosed with autism, died in Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast from severe malnutrition and dehydration in August 2022 after a 33-day stay.
• His mother, Ann Jeffry, believes he was allowed to starve to death due to neglect related to his disability.
• A Gold Coast Health spokesperson acknowledged the failure in care, stating Mr Kelly's death was preventable and that changes are being implemented from the RCA (Root Cause Analysis) report.
• Robina Hospital has also recently experienced other cases where preventable patient deaths have occurred, which prompted an investigation by the Queensland Office of Health Ombudsman.

What are your thoughts on this tragic incident? Have you or a loved one experienced similar issues in the healthcare system? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.

I really felt sadness and anger for this lady when I saw her story . I know so well a ward at Bundaberg Base Hospital called the MCDU Ward which is known even by my Provider, Five Good Friends, in Brisbane and most points in between. My carer was so worried about me she called an ambulance, I knew all was ok but went anyway. I was told I'd be there only until morning. It didn't happen. I was stuck for a week without shower, bed remade, forced to take antibiotics (I'm allergic to antibiotics, antihistamines, pain killers and tetanus), They forced me to have intravenus drugs of all sorts which I knew would make me vomit if I ate anything so had nothing to eat for 4 days. Unless I did what they demanded they refused to give me my one capsule that I neeeded. My legs don't work and balance has gone. I was refused assistance to the toilet. One day I heard a man in the next bed, behind the curtain, being horrendously abused by 3 men. Then I heard the patient's accent. With horror I realised it was my friend of 30 years. These mongrels sent Cor home 3 times only to have him brought back by ambulance. His wonderful wife, Lyn, was always by his side even though she isn't well herself. Cor never got over the abuse and died 3 weeks later. As for me, at the end of 7 days I signed myself out before I would also end up dead. It took me almost 3 weeks to get my legs working. The arrogant doctor tried to tell me he'd seen me EVERY day. Yes, probably as I shuffled past the nurses station on my way to the loo. No-one deserves to be treated like garbage. I did put in an official complaint but nothing has changed.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I really felt sadness and anger for this lady when I saw her story . I know so well a ward at Bundaberg Base Hospital called the MCDU Ward which is known even by my Provider, Five Good Friends, in Brisbane and most points in between. My carer was so worried about me she called an ambulance, I knew all was ok but went anyway. I was told I'd be there only until morning. It didn't happen. I was stuck for a week without shower, bed remade, forced to take antibiotics (I'm allergic to antibiotics, antihistamines, pain killers and tetanus), They forced me to have intravenus drugs of all sorts which I knew would make me vomit if I ate anything so had nothing to eat for 4 days. Unless I did what they demanded they refused to give me my one capsule that I neeeded. My legs don't work and balance has gone. I was refused assistance to the toilet. One day I heard a man in the next bed, behind the curtain, being horrendously abused by 3 men. Then I heard the patient's accent. With horror I realised it was my friend of 30 years. These mongrels sent Cor home 3 times only to have him brought back by ambulance. His wonderful wife, Lyn, was always by his side even though she isn't well herself. Cor never got over the abuse and died 3 weeks later. As for me, at the end of 7 days I signed myself out before I would also end up dead. It took me almost 3 weeks to get my legs working. The arrogant doctor tried to tell me he'd seen me EVERY day. Yes, probably as I shuffled past the nurses station on my way to the loo. No-one deserves to be treated like garbage. I did put in an official complaint but nothing has changed.

Ahh! Bundaberg Base Hospital. The old stamping ground of the infamous Dr Jayant Patel!

 

[gamiry]

Ahh! Bundaberg Base Hospital. The old stamping ground of the infamous Dr Jayant Patel!

You're not wrong Vegie and to make it worse I had a part time job cleaning some fancy units including this filthy sod. Chewing gum stuck anywhere, tobacco ash all over the place despite signs "no smoking in unit" and ash trays on outside tables. He was disgusting and also left my friend Lyn with a swelling on her side the size of a watermelon which she had to carry for about 9 months until it was removed.

 

[marni]

I really felt sadness and anger for this lady when I saw her story . I know so well a ward at Bundaberg Base Hospital called the MCDU Ward which is known even by my Provider, Five Good Friends, in Brisbane and most points in between. My carer was so worried about me she called an ambulance, I knew all was ok but went anyway. I was told I'd be there only until morning. It didn't happen. I was stuck for a week without shower, bed remade, forced to take antibiotics (I'm allergic to antibiotics, antihistamines, pain killers and tetanus), They forced me to have intravenus drugs of all sorts which I knew would make me vomit if I ate anything so had nothing to eat for 4 days. Unless I did what they demanded they refused to give me my one capsule that I neeeded. My legs don't work and balance has gone. I was refused assistance to the toilet. One day I heard a man in the next bed, behind the curtain, being horrendously abused by 3 men. Then I heard the patient's accent. With horror I realised it was my friend of 30 years. These mongrels sent Cor home 3 times only to have him brought back by ambulance. His wonderful wife, Lyn, was always by his side even though she isn't well herself. Cor never got over the abuse and died 3 weeks later. As for me, at the end of 7 days I signed myself out before I would also end up dead. It took me almost 3 weeks to get my legs working. The arrogant doctor tried to tell me he'd seen me EVERY day. Yes, probably as I shuffled past the nurses station on my way to the loo. No-one deserves to be treated like garbage. I did put in an official complaint but nothing has changed.

 

[marni]

I really felt sadness and anger for this lady when I saw her story . I know so well a ward at Bundaberg Base Hospital called the MCDU Ward which is known even by my Provider, Five Good Friends, in Brisbane and most points in between. My carer was so worried about me she called an ambulance, I knew all was ok but went anyway. I was told I'd be there only until morning. It didn't happen. I was stuck for a week without shower, bed remade, forced to take antibiotics (I'm allergic to antibiotics, antihistamines, pain killers and tetanus), They forced me to have intravenus drugs of all sorts which I knew would make me vomit if I ate anything so had nothing to eat for 4 days. Unless I did what they demanded they refused to give me my one capsule that I neeeded. My legs don't work and balance has gone. I was refused assistance to the toilet. One day I heard a man in the next bed, behind the curtain, being horrendously abused by 3 men. Then I heard the patient's accent. With horror I realised it was my friend of 30 years. These mongrels sent Cor home 3 times only to have him brought back by ambulance. His wonderful wife, Lyn, was always by his side even though she isn't well herself. Cor never got over the abuse and died 3 weeks later. As for me, at the end of 7 days I signed myself out before I would also end up dead. It took me almost 3 weeks to get my legs working. The arrogant doctor tried to tell me he'd seen me EVERY day. Yes, probably as I shuffled past the nurses station on my way to the loo. No-one deserves to be treated like garbage. I did put in an official complaint but nothing has changed.

I wish you could have taken it further - at least your local member - no one deserves this. Maybe if it had been investigated this tragedy could have been averted.

 

[gamiry]

I wish you could have taken it further - at least your local member - no one deserves this. Maybe if it had been investigated this tragedy could have been averted.

I sent everything off to the State and Federal Pollies. Nothing again. The local Pollie at the time along, with his cousin had been coppers who caused an innocent man to do manditory 15 years for a murder he didn't commit because, although they had all the proof of who did it couldn't make it stick. It's also an ex-cop who has been Mayor for years and we still can't get things like footpaths. Any wonder we call it BLUNDABERG.