A coroner found that the death of a Worimi woman at a remote hospital was preventable due to delays in ordering a transfer to a larger hospital.
The NSW deputy coroner has ruled that 42-year-old Eve Brown, a mother of three and a member of the Worimi people, could have been saved had her transfer from the Lightning Ridge Multi-Purpose Health Centre to Dubbo hospital been executed more promptly. Brown passed away on July 2, 2021, while awaiting this transfer, and an autopsy later revealed she died from hypovolaemic shock precipitated by a hidden spleen injury, leading to sepsis.
The coroner’s findings raise serious concerns about the adequacy of medical response and the protocols followed in remote healthcare facilities. The delay in transferring Brown to a better-equipped hospital not only emphasized the limitations of service in rural areas but also highlighted the systemic issues in healthcare accessibility for Indigenous Australians, who often face additional barriers to receiving timely and effective care.
In light of these findings, the Western NSW Local Health District has stated it will review the coroner's recommendations, likely seeking enhancements to their protocols and emergency response strategies. These measures might contribute towards preventing future tragedies in remote health settings, where timely access to specialized care can be critical for patient survival.
