RAH stroke scandal: Polly Russell reveals pain and grief after husband Mike Russell died amid rostering blunders
EXCLUSIVE: The widow of one of the patients who died from a stroke after a shocking rostering blunder at the state’s top hospital has spoken out, saying she is “struggling to comprehend” how and why he died.
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THE widow of a patient who failed to receive urgent and vital medical attention amid a stroke roster scandal at the state’s top hospital is “struggling to comprehend” how and why he died.
Breaking her silence on the crisis, Polly Russell, paid an emotional tribute to Michael John Russell, 60, her “wonderful” husband of almost three decades, after his Royal Adelaide Hospital death in April.
Mr Russell, a highly respected public servant known as Mike, and Leslie Robert Graham, 87, failed to receive urgent hospital treatment because two highly trained radiologists were on leave, in breach of internal guidelines.
State Coroner Mark Johns has launched an urgent inquest into the deaths of heart attack patients Mr Russell, of Norwood — who later had a stroke — and Mr Graham, of Vale Park, just weeks after The Advertiser revealed the rostering scandal and series of hospital blunders.
The men suffered strokes after being admitted to the RAH when one blood-clot specialist was overseas and the other was on a fishing trip.
In a powerful statement on the eve of public hearings into his death, she laid bare her grief and told how she was “completely lost without” Mr Russell, who worked for the state’s environmental watchdog.
She described him as “a true gentle soul, selfless, honest, loyal, generous and kind” and how they were “meant to grow old together, but unfortunately that will never happen”.
They would have been married 27 years this November.
Speaking publicly for the first time, she told The Advertiser: “He was too young, he had retirement to look forward to, and we were going to fulfil our dreams together.
“I miss him so much. I am still struggling to comprehend how and why this happened to my dear Michael and how I am supposed to live my life without him.”
In a decision that will be closely scrutinised by Mr Johns, the Coroners Court has heard health authorities failed to act on a March 2013 recommendation to hire a third specialist.
It has emerged that neuro-interventionists Dr Rebecca Scroop and Dr James Taylor, both SA Medical Imaging radiologists, were on leave at the same time.
Hospital records showed Dr Scroop was away overseas and Dr Taylor on a “remote fishing island” near Victor Harbor and more than three hours away.
And just months from a state election, Mr Johns last week revealed how the government controversial Transforming Health reforms will also form part of a coronial inquest.
As Mr Johns prepares to hear formal evidence in the fast-tracked inquest, his widow — who has attended every hearing so far — described how he always put his family first.
He was a senior environmental planner with the Environment Protection Agency and he died just days before he celebrated his 40th anniversary with the government.
“He had a wicked sense of humour and was a great joke teller although the jokes always changed and became more embellished each time he told them,” she said.
“Some of his dad jokes were a bit lame and he’d always say ‘hi Mrs B I have a joke for you’ when he saw my mum.
“He loved food, especially chillies and was a great cook. He would have done anything for me and he did. Michael was a very sensitive man but easily hurt.
“He had integrity. He didn’t need much to be happy; a night at home together with a home cooked meal and a movie.”
She added: “Michael loved his computer where he researched the best deals on technical and electrical equipment for family and friends.
“He loved movies and documentaries. He loved learning, he was always learning but he was remarkable in the fact that he was so knowledgeable but never cocky, he was always humble.
“He could delve into the filing cabinets of his brain and pull out information we all wondered where it came from.”
She continued: “He was selfless, honest, loyal, generous and kind. Helping people was never too much trouble; he loved sharing his extensive knowledge and skills.
“Michael was a deep thinker and very analytical so although frustrating at times when a quick yes or no answer would suffice he wanted to share all his knowledge to help you make the best decision or choice.”
A review of the neuro-interventional radiology service had called for the third specialist to be employed in 2013, four years before Mr Russell and Mr Graham died.
The men required specialist procedures after one suffering a stroke at home and the other had a heart attack.
A qualified specialist was called in from another hospital but both procedures were unsuccessful.
This month a directions hearing was told that oral evidence given during the inquest next week was “going to be more the source of the story”.
The coroner was previously told that health authorities had failed to act on a recommendation to hire a third stroke specialist at the RAH to perform the delicate clot-removal procedure.
A review of the neuro-interventional radiology service had called for the third specialist to be employed in 2013, four years before Mr Russell and Mr Graham died.
The men required specialist procedures after one suffering a stroke at home and the other had a heart attack.
A qualified specialist was called in from another hospital but both procedures were unsuccessful.
Mr Graham’s family declined to comment.
The inquest resumes on Wednesday.