A Tasmanian woman who died after being ‘ramped’ for two hours has been honoured with a mural

A Hobart artist has painted a mural in honour of an 80-year-old woman who died at Royal Hobart Hospital, as her family speak out over the health system. See the touching tribute >>>

Hobart artist Topsk1 has painted a mural in honour of Kathie Schramm, who died while ramped at the Royal Hobart Hospital late November, 2022. Photo: Supplied

A woman who died after being ramped at Royal Hobart Hospital last month has been honoured with a mural.

80-year-old Kathie Schramm passed away in late November after being forced to wait for two hours before she could be admitted to the hospital’s emergency department.

A few weeks on, a local artist has honoured Ms Schramm with a mural.

The colourful graffiti artwork, painted by Hobart artist Topsk1, is located in a laneway off Liverpool St in the city.

The portrait depicts a smiling Ms Schramm with the words “RIP Kath Schramm” painted across the top.

Hobart artist Topsk1 has painted a mural in honour of Kathie Schramm, who died while ramped at the Royal Hobart Hospital late November, 2022. Photo: Supplied

Hobart woman Kathleen Schramm, 80, died while 'ramped' at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Sharing the images with The Mercury, a family member said the mural sent an important message.

“It has been two weeks since Kathie Schramm died painfully and uncared for whilst ramped at the RHH,” the family member said.

“She may be old news now, but we are not going to let this issue die with her. The artist Topsk1 created this mural in her honour. FIX OUR HEALTH SYSTEM NOW.”

Speaking in November, Greens health spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff described Ms Schramm’s death as “a travesty” and called on the government to do more to expand the capacity of emergency departments.

“We are so, so sad to hear that another person has died in a ramp in Tasmania’s hospitals, a woman who waited two hours lying unable to be admitted to the emergency department at Royal Hobart Hospital,” Dr Woodruff said.

Department of Health Secretary Kathrine Morgan-Wicks confirmed last month a patient died in the Emergency Medical Unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Emergency Department on Tuesday 22 November.

“As is the case whenever a patient dies in our care, we take this matter very seriously and we give our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this patient,” she said in a statement.

“The Royal Hobart Hospital and Ambulance Tasmania will be undertaking a review to … understand the circumstances around the patient’s death.

“This is now a matter for the Coroner and further comment would be inappropriate.”

Ramping is a term which refers to the practice of patients being cared for by paramedics in ambulances or dedicated hospital waiting areas prior to their admission when emergency departments are too busy to see them.