NEWS / Death certificate lists autism, starvation, and dehydration as cause of death of man who starved to death at Australian hospital

A grieving family is demanding answers after their son, Stewart Kelly, died at Robina Hospital in the Australian State of Queensland from starvation and dehydration. The 45-year-old autistic man, who also had an intellectual disability, was admitted twice to the hospital in 2022, but despite his deteriorating condition, he did not receive the necessary care. The man’s death certificate lists autism as the cause of death, along with multi-organ dysfunction, starvation, and dehydration.

According to his mother, 81-year-old Ann Jeffery, Kelly initially entered the hospital for eight days in May 2022. He had lost a significant amount of weight due to his refusal to eat and required mental health treatment. However, despite showing some improvement, he was discharged without receiving the proper support.

His condition worsened over the next few months, and he was readmitted to Robina Hospital in July 2022. This time, his family expected him to receive fluids and psychiatric treatment. Unfortunately, neither of these interventions occurred, and Kelly's health continued to decline. In August 2022, after a 33-day hospitalization, Kelly tragically died from starvation and dehydration.

“How can someone starve to death in a hospital?” Ann Jeffrey was quoted by nine.com.au’s A Current Affair as stating, “He was allowed to reach that critical state within the hospital system. How can that be?”

Gold Coast Health, the governing body for the hospital, has admitted to "significant failures" in Kelly's care and acknowledged that his death was preventable. An internal investigation identified 11 specific failures and five lessons learned by staff. These findings will be addressed through future training initiatives.

One of the most shocking revelations was that Kelly never saw a psychiatrist due to a lack of a paper referral. This highlights the importance of streamlining referral processes and ensuring timely access to mental health specialists.

Jeffery, still grieving the loss of her son, believes a coroner's inquest is crucial to uncovering the full extent of the hospital's failings and ensuring accountability. She wants to see concrete changes implemented to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.

“I want to know what's been implemented now 15 months later, after I buried my son, what have they done in actual real terms?” Jeffrey stated.

A spokesperson for the Coroners Court of Queensland confirmed that the matter is under investigation, but no decision has been made regarding an inquest. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stated that the State’s Office of the Health Ombudsman was also reviewing the case.

This incident raises serious concerns about patient safety and care standards at Robina Hospital. Two additional deaths in the past two months further highlight the need for urgent improvement.

In October 2023, 68-year-old Kevin Farr was tragically killed by a fellow patient in the dementia ward. A month later, an 86-year-old aged care patient died after jumping from a balcony. Both cases are currently under investigation by Queensland Police.

Jeffery remains determined to find answers and ensure that her son's death leads to positive change. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can contribute to a safer healthcare system for all, particularly those with disabilities or mental health needs.

Gold Coast Health has pledged to implement the recommendations from the internal investigation and learn from its mistakes. However, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be sufficient to restore trust and prevent future tragedies.

The community awaits the outcome of the investigations and the potential decision on a coroner's inquest. Only then can the full truth be revealed and meaningful steps be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all patients entrusted to the care of Robina Hospital.

A&M Logos International is appalled that a person was allowed to starve to death at a hospital and hope that such incidents do not happen again. We are here to help you retrieve certified copies of death certificates or other vital records and get them apostilled or authenticated for use abroad. Call us today at (212) 233-7061 or e-mail us at info@apostille.us. You may also wish to check out our website.