‘Where’s the humanity?’: Relatives distressed at being turned away from hospitals

There have been emotional scenes outside a Brisbane hospital where loved ones have been turned away from seeing their loved ones after new restrictions were put in place.

There have been emotional scenes outside a Brisbane hospital where loved ones have been turned away from sick relatives amid the State Government’s snap decision to restrict visitations.

Queensland Health announced on Saturday that hospitals in Logan and Brisbane, south of the Brisbane River, along with aged care facilities, disability services and prisons would have limited visitors from 1am on September 11.

HAVE YOU BEEN BARRED FROM VISITING A RELATIVE? LET US KNOW

The decision hit hard for Highgate Hill resident John Ninness, 56, who had turned up at the Princess Alexandra Hospital on Saturday morning to support his son through his first round of chemotherapy.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at Saturday’s Covid press conference. Picture: Annette Dew

The 21-year-old had only been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia two weeks earlier and Mr Ninness, who was fully vaccinated and had not been in a hot spot, said it was important to support his son during the “lowest point” of his life.

“Can we just get some humanity back into this situation?” Mr Ninness said.

“I understand the need locking down hospitals, I know we have to support those immunocompromised people. But at the end of the day there are people in hospital going through the hardest time of their lives that need support.”

Mr Ninness said while outside the hospital he witnessed an 83-year-old man “in tears at the door” after being told he could not go inside to visit his dying wife, despite being fully vaccinated.

Mr Ninness captured this photo of an 83-year-old man who had been told by Princess Alexandra Hospital staff that he could not visit his dying wife. Picture: Supplied

After speaking with the distressed man, he started ringing local members and confronted staff about the man’s situation.

“Eventually a bit of common sense prevailed and they let him in,” he said.

“But to put him through the fight to see his wife who is literally moments away from losing her life … it’s appalling.”

Chief Health Officer Doctor Jeanette Young during a media conference. Picture: Liam Kidston

Speaking at Saturday’s Covid press conference, Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said that the hospital restrictions were to protect the community’s most vulnerable.

“We don’t quite have enough of all of those sectors fully vaccinated yet to be able to protect them,” Dr Young said.

“So just for this outbreak I’ve asked that those vulnerable settings limit visitors. Hopefully we can remove that restriction as soon as possible.”

Mr Ninness said while he understands that restrictions need to be in place, he believes there should be a better “risk assessment” so that people like his son could be given much needed support.

Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane along with other health facilities in the Metro South Health district have visitor restrictions in place. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“What’s really frustrating me is the State Government has had two years to get this system right,” he said.

“And to be confronted at the door of a hospital and told you can’t see your loved one and to see an 83-year-old man being told he couldn’t visit his dying wife – it is absolutely sub human.”

Queensland Health confirmed that under the current restrictions visitors can only enter the hospital if they are carers for patients under 18, providing end-of-life support, caring for a pregnant partner or someone with a disability.

All other patient visitors must receive approval from the operator of a hospital.

HAVE YOU BEEN BARRED FROM VISITING A RELATIVE? LET US KNOW

Requests can be made via the ward or unit for internal escalation.

“We absolutely understand and sympathise that these restrictions are difficult,” a Queensland Health spokesperson said.

“Our approach has always been to restrict access to vulnerable facilities when there is evidence of community transmission.

“These measures are to protect our most vulnerable. Each hospital can make decisions around visiting that are in the best interest of their patients.

“These decisions are based on clinical risk and may change depending on the situation at the time.”

For more information visit the Metro South Health website.

Originally published as ‘Where’s the humanity?’: Relatives distressed at being turned away from hospitals