Daughter calling for answers after her mum dies from fall injuries at the Toowoomba Hospital

The daughter of a woman who died after she fell at the Toowoomba Hospital and suffered a fatal brain injury is calling for answers.

The exterior of the Toowoomba Hospital after a new coat of paint, as seen from Pechey St, Wednesday, November 26, 2014. Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

Darling Downs Health is investigating a fall at Toowoomba Hospital that killed a 71-year-old grandmother.

Robyn Connelly, 71, had been in and out of the hospital in the two months before her death after falling at home and breaking her hip on May 1.

In the months that followed she experienced a raft of complications, including a urinary tract infection and changes in her blood pressure, which in turn affected her balance.

Daughter Sandra Freiberg said in the initial fall Mrs Connelly also tore her Medial Collateral Ligament – the tissue that kept her shin bone in place – but this went undiagnosed for about two weeks.

On July 14, while in the care of Toowoomba Hospital, Mrs Connelly was moving from her bed to a bathroom, with the aid of a hopper frame and a nurse when she fell, hit her head and suffered a brain bleed.

She died about 36 hours later.

Now Mrs Freiberg is calling for answers.

Robyn Connelly, 71, died on July 15, 2024 after falling at the Toowoomba Hospital and suffering a brain bleed.

“It was the most horrible experience, there were so many failures,” she said.

“I should have brought her home, she would have got better care at home.”

Darling Downs Health reviewed Mrs Connelly’s care and a copy of that review obtained by the Chronicle, it states that she had a tender, swollen and bruised knee in the days after her first fall.

The review states this was treated with ice, elevation and compression, but that medical imaging of the joint was unremarkable, with an MRI recommended if it did not improve.

It took until May 16, more than two weeks after Mrs Connelly was admitted to the hospital for doctors to diagnose the torn ligament, and fit her with a knee brace.

According to the review, hospital staff initially determined the pain in her knee was likely to be from osteoarthritis that was aggravated by the fall that broke her hip. The review concluded that this assumption was ‘clinically appropriate’ as MCL injuries were uncommon in Mrs Connelly’s age group.

During her mum’s repeated stay at the hospital, Ms Freiberg said she would consistently find her mum without the brace, and that staff, when asked about the brace, said they did not know about it.

Shortly before her discharge on June 25, Hospital staff completed a physiotherapy review and recommended that Mrs Connelly use a hopper frame with the assistance of nursing staff while moving about the ward, due low blood pressure issues and unsteadiness on her feet.

She was back in the hospital on July 1 after falling at home and it was noted that she was suffering from blood pressure issues that affected her balance.

Shortly before midnight on July 13, Mrs Freiberg received a call from the hospital that broke her heart and she rushed to the hospital.

“I could hear mum being very distressed, she was grunting and moaning,” she said.

“A nurse came up to me and said she was with mum when she fell, she was trying to justify what happened or to get me to say it was not her fault.”

After a short delay, Ms Freiberg was allowed into the ward to be with her mum and was told there was nothing doctors could do to save her life.

Mrs Connelly was moved to a private room and given end-of-life care.

She died at 6.48am on July 15.

Robyn Connelly with her great-granddaughter Elora.

Ms Freiberg said she has made repeated requests for more information about that fatal fall, including why her mother was given a hopper frame and not a chair to move from the bathroom, or what assistance was provided by the staff when she was mobile.

“They said mum fell backward and hit her head, well how does someone who uses a hopper frame fall backward,” she said.

“Where was the nurse?

“If you are standing with someone with a hopper frame, you stand behind them, so how could she fall backwards?

“There was no leg brace on her in the palliative care either.”

The DDH review is exhaustive in its details about the care it provided Mrs Connelly but does not address the fatal fall, other than to say it is being investigated.

“We were impressed with how you demonstrated being a strong and loyal advocate for your mother, and I can understand your disbelief and suffering at your mother’s passing from an episode of care from which you fully expected her to recover and return home,” the review states.

When asked about Mrs Connelly’s fall, a Darling Downs Health spokesman said the service extended its deepest condolences to her family.

“Darling Downs Health maintained active communication with Mrs Connelly’s family during her treatment and continues to do so.

“The care provided to Mrs. Connelly is subject to an internal review and is also being considered by the Office of the Health Ombudsman.

“The outcome of the Darling Downs Health review is likely to be completed in October, and the findings will be shared with the family as part of our Open Disclosure process.

“All elements of care provided to Mrs. Connelly will be considered in the review, including the specific claims made by her family.

“Darling Downs Health employs thousands of locals who are committed to ensuring their community has access to compassionate, dignified and high-quality healthcare regardless of which facility they attend.

“We acknowledge the grief that Mrs Connelly’s family are experiencing and will continue to seek to engage with them.”

Originally published as Daughter calling for answers after her mum dies from fall injuries at the Toowoomba Hospital