More concerning allegations emerge about Queensland hospitals after five-year-old boy’s sudden death

Concerning allegations have emerged from a Queensland hospital just days after the death of a five-year-old boy who died hours after being discharged from another facility.

Concerning allegations have emerged about improper sedation at a Queensland hospital just days after the sudden death of a little boy who was discharged from another facility.

Earlier in the week it was revealed a typically healthy five-year-old boy died two hours after he was discharged from Logan hospital prompting an urgent review.

Now, Queensland Health has revealed it is investigating allegations of improper sedation of patients at another state hospital.

Shadow health Minister Ros Bates claimed patients at Bundaberg Hospital had been improperly sedated by staff, leaving them with an array of health issues.

“Clinical staff at the Bundaberg Hospital may have administered sedative medication to patients over an extended period of time,” she said.

“The allegations state specific incidents which caused severe patient harm.”

New details have emerged of fresh allegations made against Bundaberg Hospital. Picture: Supplied.

Although Health Minister Yvette D‘Ath did not address the death of the five-year-old boy after attending Logan Hospital in parliament, she said she is aware of the unrelated Bundaberg incident.

“Appropriate practice had not been undertaken,” she said.

“The nurse involved [in administering sedative medication] is no longer able to administer medications.”

“The internal review reported no patient harm in relation to this incident.” 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland Health data for 2022 will now be released earlier than anticipated, following the Bundaberg incident.

The allegations came just days after news broke that five-year-old Hiyaan Kapil waited four hours in the emergency room of Logan Hospital on Sunday night after experiencing stomach pains.

His family told 9 News he had been vomiting in hospital before being discharged at 10pm.

He was still in pain when the family returned home from the hospital and his parents were shocked when he collapsed just two hours later.

Hiyaan’s father rushed his son back to the hospital but he died soon after.

Hiyaan Kapil being held by his parents who are now scrambling for answers as to why their normally healthy child has died after being discharged from hospital. Picture: Nine News

Metro South Health Acting CEO Noelle Cridland released a statement on Tuesday afternoon reporting that Hiyaan’s death will be the subject of a “thorough review”.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli expressed his sympathies in parliament, saying “no parent should have to go through that.

“On behalf of the opposition and this parliament, we say sorry to the Kapil family for their loss,” he said.

His loved ones are now scrambling for answers as to why the previously healthy young boy deteriorated so quickly and why he was discharged from hospital.

“We want to know what happened, that’s the only question,” family friend Rajbir Gill told 9 News.

“Our clinicians are dedicated to providing the best possible care to all our patients,” Ms Cridland said.

“Our hearts go out to the family of Hiyaan Kapil for their tragic loss and we extend our deepest sympathies to his parents, family and friends.”

Mr Gill said the family was not seeking compensation or looking to lay blame on hospital staff.

“We don’t want to blame, we don’t want to claim anything … we don’t need it because we can’t get him back”

The school community at Bethania Lutheran School in Logan is grieving the loss of five-year-old student, Hiyaan Kapil. Picture: Supplied

“The only important thing we lost. He’s not with us.”

A report is being prepared for the Coroner by Queensland Police on the circumstances' surrounding the five-year-old’s death and with the assistance of The Logan Hospital.

“He was very happy as a child,” Mr Gill said of the kindergarten student at Bethania Lutheran School in Logan.

“Very naughty, always happy.”

“I just got a call in the morning at 2am … ‘he’s not with us’.”

Neighbours have also spoken of their shock following the young boy’s sudden death.

“He was a great kid, he’ll be sadly missed,” one neighbour said.