Qld grandfather Wayne Irving waiting for bed at Ipswich Hospital

An investigation has been launched after a man died as he waited for a bed at a major South East Queensland hospital.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a man who died as he waited for a bed at Ipswich Hospital.

Wayne Irving, 67, was ramped for three hours after his wife, Barbara, called an ambulance at 7:30pm Thursday due to Mr Irving suffering chest pain.

Paramedics arrived at their Coulson home within 30 minutes before he was driven to the hospital where he waited in the back of an ambulance for a hospital bed.

His pain escalated five times as he slipped in and out of consciousness and paramedics tried to get him admitted.

His family say at 12.15am, a bed became available but he sadly died before making it into the emergency department.

Mr Irving’s devastated daughter, Lauren Hansford, said her and her family want answers.

“I was here last night with my dad seeing him off thinking that he’s just got some weird pain,” she said.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Wayne Irving, who died as he waited for a bed at Ipswich Hospital. Photo: Supplied

“When I said goodbye to him I said ‘you’re good, I’ll see you soon, I love you’, and I kissed him on the forehead.

“I was not expecting a phone call from mum at one o’clock saying we have to go to Ipswich they’re doing CPR.”

Ms Hansford said she assumed her dad had been admitted, unaware he sat idle outside the emergency department for hours.

“We had no idea, the hospital did not tell us any of that information … we’ve been completely blindsided and lied to by the hospital.

“I don’t understand in this day and age in our country we can’t get good health care, it makes no sense.

“I’m just gobsmacked, he didn’t present with a broken leg, like, it was serious and he was left outside to die in an ambulance, and then they couldn’t even tell me that.”

She said the only word her family has received from the hospital since was a “cold” phone call on Friday.

“It was kind of only ringing because they had to, they were legally obliged, ticking boxes, yeah, there was no sympathy or empathy in it, it was cold,” she said.

Ms Hansford described her father as a “top Aussie bloke” who would give the shirt off his back.

File picture of ambulances at the Ipswich Hospital. Picture: David Clark

“The world’s a darker place without him, he was just a kind man, he liked to have a good time and you can talk to him about anything.”

“There was no judgement with him, like, he didn’t have a bad bone in his body.”

Mr Irving was a grandfather and a foster carer, having raised 30 children over 25 years with his wife.

“We still have three beautiful kids in care with us now that have been with us since they were babies, so to them, they’ve just lost their dad,” said Ms Hansford.

In a statement the health minister said a full clinical review into Mr Irving’s death is now underway and will be considered by the coroner.

“My heart goes out to Mr Irving’s family and friends at this tragic time. I have no doubt that his entire community will be feeling this loss.” said Ms Fentiman.

“I am committed to implementing any recommendations from the clinical review and the coroner.”

“I have also asked the Director-General of Queensland Health to work with Ipswich Hospital to urgently look at what additional resources are needed for this very busy Hospital.”

Originally published as Qld grandfather Wayne Irving waiting for bed at Ipswich Hospital