Ricky ‘Dougie’ Hampson death: Inquest starts at Coroners Court in Dubbo
A local health district has apologised to the family of an Aboriginal man who died a day after he was discharged from hospital after an alleged misdiagnosis. His inquest continues.
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The inquest of an Aboriginal man who died the day after being discharged from a regional hospital has heard a formal apology on behalf of the health district.
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, 36, died of perforated ulcers a day after being discharged from Dubbo Base Hospital on August 16, 2021.
A coronial inquest began in the Dubbo Courthouse on Monday to examine what occurred during the 48-hour period between August 14 – 16, 2021, if further medical treatment should have been conducted, whether he should have been discharged, whether being an Aboriginal man, drug user or former prisoner had affected his treatment and other key factors.
NSW Deputy State Coroner Erin Kennedy expressed her “sincere condolences” to Mr Hampson’s family, including his father Ricky Hampson Senior, mother Lydia Chatfield and partner Kellyann Murray.
A Western Local Health District and Dubbo Base Hospital representative formally apologised to Mr Hampson’s family for the short comings in his care.
The representative stated the district acknowledged the “clinical health failings” and would provide better care for future patients.
Wearing a tribute shirt, Mr Hampson Senior held back his tears while describing his amazing, loving and funny son.
“We want to know if Dougie was racially profiled because of his Aboriginality,” he told media in front of the courthouse.
“We want to know if Dougie received inadequate medical care or treatment.
“We want to know [if] Dougie’s diagnosis was incorrect.
“Dougie’s death was avoidable – it should have never of happened.
“A lot of black fellas don’t go to hospital because of the track record of this country’s health system.
“NSW health system has black blood on its hands.”
Counsel assisting the Coroner Simeon Beckett told the court Dougie presented himself at the emergency department about 5pm on August 14, 2021, after he felt “something pop” in his abdomen.
A triage nurse recorded his pain to be 10 out of 10.
His family believe he was racially profiled as Mr Hampson admitted to using cannabis and his records showing the Wellington Correctional Centre as his next-of-kin.
He stayed in the short stay unit overnight to monitor his symptoms, however there was no further investigation of the “popping sensation” such as an X-ray or a CT scan.
He was given oxycodone, another opioid and fluids during the night and discharged with ibuprofen and paracetamol the following day.
Mr Hampson was diagnosed with Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome – a rare disease relying on the dependence of marijuana, but his symptoms did not match the diagnosis.
Mr Hampson was discharged after midday on August 15 and went to his friend's house where he was last seen alive at 3.30am on August 16.
The ambulance arrived at 1.07pm but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The inquest continues.
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