Queensland Health has apologised to a mentally ill man who was frogmarched out of hospital
Queensland Health has vowed to shake-up policies for discharging vulnerable people after a mentally-ill man was escorted out of hospital this week.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
QUEENSLAND Health has apologised to a mentally ill man who was frogmarched out of Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital still wearing a hospital gown by security guards this week.
It has also vowed a shake-up of policies for discharging vulnerable people from hospital.
The man, who is believed to have a documented history of mental
Illness, was physically removed from the RBWH on Monday and put out onto the street.
A horrified witness, who captured the disturbing incident on video, rang an ambulance.
The man is believed to have been admitted on Sunday for hypothermia after being found in a swampy creek.
A top-level investigation was ordered into the incident.
A Metro North Hospital and Health Service spokesman said officials had visited the man at his home to apologise.
“Metro North is a values based organisation and on the occasion our actions don’t meet community expectations, we take steps to improve,” she said.
“Our Emergency Department staff work in a complex and fast paced environment and are dedicated to providing high quality compassionate care to the thousands of Queenslanders who present each month.
“The recent discharge of a vulnerable person from our care highlighted the additional supports that need to be considered to maintain a person’s dignity and personal safety beyond their immediate healthcare needs, whilst balancing the safety of staff and other patients.
“Metro North has visited the man at his home and apologised.
“We are currently amending our policies and procedures to ensure that vulnerable people being discharged from our care, regardless of the circumstances, are returned safely to a carer or their home and linked with appropriate services if needed.”
