Bundaberg Hospital patients share their experiences

A blood-covered seat and an undiagnosed broken back are just some of the latest claims and revelations from patients left furious following a trip to the embattled Bundaberg Hospital.

Complaints have been coming forward after long-time Bundaberg patient advocate Beryl Crosby called for the WBHHS CEO Debbie Carroll (left inset) and board to be sacked. Right inset: Rhonda Hudson shares her concerns with Ms Crosby and Burnett MP Stephen Bennett.

A patient sent home with panadol to treat what turned out to be a broken back, and another who found “wet blood” on the chair he was being prepped for surgery in are among the fresh stories emerging from patients unhappy with their experiences at Bundaberg Hospital.

Bundaberg resident Cassandra Hill arrived at the hospital in an ambulance after an accident “popped” her back and left her in agonising pain and with “numbness” and immobility.

After seeing a doctor she was sent home with panadol, and without having an X-ray or a scan.

“I was ambulanced to the base after an accident where my back popped and I had numb hips and leg and could hardly walk and in huge amount of pain,” she said.

She says she was advised to see a GP if the pain persisted. The pain did persist so she saw her GP and then had to pay for an MRI, which revealed she had a fractured L4 that needed surgery.

Jason Stephenson says he was being prepped for surgery at the hospital in October 2022 when he found “wet blood” on the chair he was being treated in.

The blood reminded him of the “watery liquid” that came out of thawing meat, he said.

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Alerting a nurse, he says he was told someone must have had a blood test.

He sat in another chair but was told by the nurse to return to the first seat after the “blood” was wiped off.

This made him feel uncomfortable.

Serious allegations of hospital malpractice 

His story is one of several that have emerged following calls in recent weeks for the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service CEO and board to be sacked.

“They're far too busy/understaffed,” Mr Stephenson said.

“I waited for probably close to two hours to be seen last week for results,” he said.

“They apologised to everyone once they had their names called, one staff member even came down from maternity to give someone results on a knee problem.”

Bundaberg Hospital patient advocate Beryl Crosby.

The hospital has been the subject of numerous claims in recent months, including reports of nursing staff misusing medication.

In early November 2022, a review was announced after a baby with holes in her heart was sent home despite not functioning fully. She later sadly died.

Bundaberg residents continue to publicly complain about their experiences at the Bundaberg Hospital.

Patient advocate Beryl Crosby says she had received many complaints.

“I've heard some appalling incidents that have happened (at the hospital),” she said.

“Everyday I‘m getting complaints. Every day I’m urging people to put them in to the hospital.

“We've been fighting for years to do something.”

Ms Crosby called for WBHHS CEO Debbie Carroll and the board to be sacked.

WBHHS acting Chief Operating Officer and Covid-19 incident controller Ben Ross-Edwards said the service adhered to strict infection control guidelines and cleaning standards, prioritising patient and staff safety at all times.

“We encourage people to contact the service directly to talk through any concerns, to identify supports required and to work in partnership to seek understanding as to why and how clinical decisions are made,” he said.

“Should any patient or community member have any concerns or complaints about the care received and would like these resolved, we encourage them to contact our Clinical Governance Support Wide Bay has seen a big increase in our population in the last year, particularly older people who may require additional support from the health service.

“This has had an impact on our health system overall, and WBHHS hospitals in particular.”

Mr Ross-Edwards said the hospital was dealing with more patients than in previous years.

“We are seeing more people present to our emergency departments, increased hospitalisations and more complex and chronic conditions than ever,” he said.

“WBHHS would like to recognise the significant efforts of staff who continue to deliver high-quality and clinically appropriate care in the face of an exceptional workload.

“We have confidence in the professionalism and skills of our staff and can assure the community that anyone who presents to an emergency department will be seen, prioritising the most urgent cases.”

The WBHHS did not respond when asked to comment on calls for the board and CEO to be sacked.