Borders open but Coffs Harbour hospital refuses Qld woman entry to see sick dad

A Queensland woman is desperate after waiting two years to hug her ailing father only to be denied entry to his NSW hospital even though the borders are open.

A Queensland woman, who has waited for two years to hug her ailing father, has been denied entry to his NSW hospital, days after border restrictions were relaxed.

After quarantine rules were lifted this month, Linda Brown’s joy turned to dismay when she was barred from entering the Coffs Harbour Health Campus because of NSW’s escalating Covid cases.

Robert Brown, 80, who has dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and cardiac arrhythmia, has been in the Coffs Harbour hospital for three months, where he contracted the deadly virus during a hospital lockdown.

Ms Brown, from Macleay Island, said it was her last chance to visit her dad who was moved this week from a Covid “red zone” wing to a general ward, which allows visits.

Coffs Harbour Hospital which adjoins Coffs Harbour Health Campus Centre.

“They’ve just refused me permission to visit,” she said.

“His memory is nearly gone. Today he knows who I am on the phone but that is about to end.

“This is my last chance to say my goodbyes and to give him some comfort.

“The impact of continued restrictions on the elderly with dementia is reprehensible.”

RELATED STORIES

■ Island’s golf cart drive

■ Sick staff as hospital feels pressure

■ Macleay Island Beach erosion

■ Hospital plans raise island fears

■ One year ferry ban

Ms Brown said she was outraged after her visitation request on compassionate grounds was denied despite NSW Health’s website claiming “after a risk assessment, providers may choose to limit visitors to one per day per resident”.

Ms Brown completed a risk assessment, a visitor declaration form and has been in self-imposed isolation for three months.

She was also contacted by her father’s social worker at the hospital who told her to prioritise a visit.

Macleay Island woman Linda Brown is fighting a NSW hospital for the right to visit her ailing dad, Robert, pictured here with her as a baby.

Coffs Harbour Health Campus Nursing Unit Manager Natalie Barnes said the request was denied because of an escalation in NSW Covid cases.

“Unfortunately, due to the current Covid climate and escalating numbers of Covid positive people in the community, NSW Health is limiting visitors within the hospital system,” she wrote in an email.

“After discussion with the medical team, your application for visitor exemption has not been approved at this time.

“As restrictions change, visitation rules will also change. I will keep your risk assessment on hand and let you know when changes occur in order for you to be able to visit your dad.”

However, NSW Health said Mr Brown was allowed to have visitors as the border had reopened and he was no longer Covid positive and was not in isolation.

“Visitors with exceptional circumstances are allowed in to all of our hospitals,” a NSW Health spokesman said.

“Mr Brown is not ‘an-end-of-life’ patient even though he has dementia. He is now out of isolation and with the borders open we will certainly consider his daughter’s request.”

NSW Health told Ms Brown to resubmit her risk assessment form.

If that is successful, she will be granted permission to visit as long as she has no Covid symptoms, is not Covid positive, has had no close contact with a Covid carrier, wears a mask and limits her visit to 30 minutes.

Originally published as Borders open but Coffs Harbour hospital refuses Qld woman entry to see sick dad