Man robbed of dying wish by Coast hospital, family claim

A woman is speaking out with claims a Coast hospital robbed her father of the right to die in the comfort of his own home.

Lyndal Hughes holds a picture of her father John who died in Buderim Private Hospital. Picture: Warren Lynam

A WOMAN is speaking out with claims a Coast hospital robbed her father of the right to die in the comfort of his own home.

Instead of spending his last days at home, John Stiller was in the Buderim Private Hospital in a vegetative state which he never woke from - he died late yesterday. The hospital has now launched a review into his care.

Mr Stiller was a man who was never ill until he turned 80, with his final two years marred by medical hurdles including a cancer diagnosis 12 months ago.

He is survived by his wife Jennifer, son Richard and daughter Lyndal Hughes.

Ms Hughes said her father was admitted to the hospital last Wednesday in an "extremely poor condition”, but by Saturday he was starting to eat and could take his medications orally.

He was supposed to go home on Monday as was his wish, but Ms Hughes said on Saturday her father was subjected to "psychological distress” which prohibited him from leaving.

While Ms Hughes said her father's consulting physician was "excellent”, the decision of other staff members to move her father to a "crowded room with no window access and a faulty television” for his "safety” caused him great emotional discomfort.

The disturbance was so great Ms Hughes said her father had to be medicated, which meant he couldn't return home.

"The doctor actually said to mum 'do you want him to go home?' and she said 'no',” Ms Hughes said.

"The going home was for his benefit, it wasn't for mum's benefit.

"The view of the family is for him to stay calm and where he is.”

A UnitingCare spokesperson said hospital management had met with the family to "fully understand their concerns”.

"We know this is a very difficult time for (Mr Stiller's) family and we will continue providing them with any support they need,” they said.

The spokesperson said the family's claims were unable to be verified until a "thorough review” was completed.

Ms Hughes said the family spent more than two hours complaining to hospital staff after Mr Stiller had been moved and they were told he could move back to a private room under the condition nursing staff would take no responsibility if he fell.

He was then moved to a single room near the nurses' station so he could be attended to.

Despite the stress the family is experiencing Ms Hughes said she hoped by speaking out things might change, but she wasn't holding her breath.

"It's been a long year. He just wanted to be at home as long as he could.”