Ricky ‘Dougie’ Hampson death: Family gives statement to Coroner in inquest

The family of an Indigenous man, who died shortly after he was misdiagnosed at a regional hospital, broke down in court delivering heartfelt statements. Read here.

Ricky "Dougie" Hampson Junior’s family speak in front of court on the last day of his inquest. Photo: Supplied.

The father of an Indigenous man who died after being misdiagnosed and discharged from a regional hospital held back tears in court, saying his son’s death “haunted” him.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the name and images of a person who has died.

Kamilaroi-Dunghutti man Ricky “Dougie” Hampson Junior died on August 16, 2021, roughly 19 hours after he was discharged from Dubbo Base Hospital.

The 36-year-old father presented himself to the emergency department on August 14 after experiencing a “popping” sensation in his abdomen.

A Coronial inquest into his death has heard he was misdiagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome – a condition relating to long-term marijuana use.

An autopsy revealed Mr Hampson died of two perforated ulcers.

Kamilaroi-Dunghutti man Ricky "Dougie" Hampson Junior.

The inquest lead by Deputy State Coroner Erin Kennedy at Dubbo Courthouse has heard Mr Hampson was not given sufficient care and treatment, his medications were not documented and he was discharged without a medical assessment.

During the two-week inquest, the court heard apologies from doctors, evidence from experts, hospital staff, nurses and Mr Hampson’s friends and family.

He died shortly after he was discharged from Dubbo Base Hospital with a misdiagnosis. Photo: Supplied.

On Thursday, Mr Hampson’s family gave an insight into who he was to Magistrate Kennedy, and described him as “kind, caring and loving”.

His mother Lydia Chatfield told the court it was 934 days since her son died after he was misdiagnosed. She said she “keeps him alive” in her heart to grieve with the pain.

“I have grieved missing family members, but how do you grieve your son?” she said in court.

“It took 14 hours for Dougie to come into this world and it took 19 hours for him to get out of my life … I am broken.

He was described by his family as “loving, kind and caring”. Photo: Supplied.

“I hope another mother will never have to go through what I’m going through,” she cried.

His father Ricky Hampson Senior told court he blamed the system for his son’s death.

“When the system took Dougie, they took us all,” he said.

“This will continue to haunt me every day until I see his face again.

“We relive this trauma and nightmare every day.

“He was always the light of every celebration and now that light is gone and we’re left with darkness in every situation,” he said.

Outside of court on Friday, Mr Hampson told media he would like a plaque and a room in the hospital dedicated for his son.

“We don’t want them to forget him or forget what they did to him,” he said.

“All recommendations made by the coroner should be legally enforced.

“These recommendations need to be seriously enforced because I truly hope no other Aboriginal family has to go through what we’ve been through.

“If we can save the lives of other First Nations people through these reforms, it will be a step towards healing the pain my family and I carry inside us.”

The inquest is expected to finish on Friday.