Ricky ‘Dougie” Hampson Junior death: Indigenous doctor gives evidence at inquest

An Indigenous doctor who was working the night an Indigenous man was misdiagnosed, and died shortly after being discharged from a regional hospital, says more training is needed.

Family and friends rallying together in front of the Dubbo Base Hospital after Kamilaroi-Dunghutti man Ricky "Dougie" Hampson Junior death.

An Indigenous doctor who was working the night an Indigenous man was misdiagnosed with a cannabis-related condition, before he died less than 24 hours after being discharged from a regional hospital, has made personal recommendations to the Coroner in an inquest.

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

The coronial inquest into the death of a 36-year-old Kamilaroi-Dunghutti man Ricky “Dougie” Hampson Junior on August 14, 2021, has heard an Indigenous doctor, who was responsible for the emergency department on Dubbo Base Hospital during the night August 14 and 15, recommend additional improvements to cultural sensitivity and safety involving Aboriginal people in a clinical system.

He said even though improvements had been made to the institution since the incident, including cultural awareness sessions, online modules and teaching sessions, better practice should be implemented.

“My opinion seems to be that there’s a lack of understanding and awareness of what it means for an Indigenous person to present to the hospital, the level of fear, the lack of trust … it is quite a complex topic which stems back to the history of this country,” he said.

Ricky Hampson raising awareness in front of Dubbo Base Hospital two years after his son died after a misdiagnosis. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

“They have a fear that if they go to hospital that they won’t be taken seriously, encounter prejudice or racism … not get the treatment they deserve.

“This inquest is distressing for myself in a way that a non-Indigenous person doesn’t understand.”

He told the inquest the fear among Aboriginal people presenting themselves in hospital comes from the history of Australia, deaths in custody and other inquests.

Kamilaroi-Dunghutti man Ricky "Dougie" Hampson Junior.

He told NSW Deputy State Coroner Erin Kennedy the modules had been helpful but there are “more complexities” which are not discussed.

Before the Indigenous doctor gave evidence, Ricky Hampson Senior addressed the media outside Dubbo Courthouse on why he and some of the family walked out of the courtroom during Wednesday’s apology by a separate doctor who misdiagnosed their son.

“We’ve heard about the mistakes they made, including the assumption that Dougie’s symptoms were drug-related,” Mr Hampson said.

National Justice Project CEO George Newhouse and Ricky Hampson Senior in front of Dubbo's Courthouse. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

“The senior doctor has admitted that “popping and tearing” is a sign something is seriously wrong and should have been investigation – but it wasn’t, and they failed him.

“They sedated him with droperidol, a serious drug that should have been recorded – but it wasn’t recorded.

“My family has relived and gone over every moment of Dougie’s last hours in painful detail for the past three years.

“My family and I walked out because we don’t want an apology, it’s too late for that. I’ve been hearing ‘sorry’ my whole life.”