A 45-year-old man with autism, died of starvation and dehydration after a 33-day hospital stay at Robina Hospital, Gold Coast, Australia, in August 2022.
When Stewart Kelly was admitted to the hospital in May 2022 for eight days, he needed mental health treatment after developing anxiety, which had made him lose close to 30 lbs. His condition improved, and he was later discharged. However, his condition deteriorated, and he was admitted for a second time after losing 62 lbs.
Despite the alarming nature of his condition, Kelly’s family reports that he did not receive the necessary mental health treatment nor was put on fluids. His deterioration and eventual death were acknowledged by the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service as a preventable incident. Ron Calvert, the health service’s chief executive, publicly admitted to “significant failings” in the patient’s care and expressed unreserved apologies to the family.
In a December 2023 interview with A Current Affair, Ann Jeffery, Kelly’s mother, mourned the loss of her son, stating that he “was cheated of 40 more years of his life.” Her anguish was compounded by the fear that her son’s disability played a role in the neglect he faced.
In response to this incident, a Gold Coast Health spokesperson indicated that significant practice changes have been implemented. These changes aim to better support patients who are neurodiverse or have a disability, learning from the lessons outlined in a Root Cause Analysis report.
Kelly’s prolonged stay in intensive care, lasting 20 days, raised critical questions about the hospital’s treatment protocols for vulnerable people. His mother’s call for accountability echoes a broader community concern over the care of disabled people in healthcare settings.
Queensland Health’s admission of fault and ongoing investigation by the Office of the Health Ombudsman into Kelly’s death are steps toward addressing these systemic issues. Deputy Executive Director of Medical Services Bav Manoharan acknowledged the initial failure to recognize Kelly’s deteriorating condition. The hospital has since committed to 11 recommendations from a review focusing on internal communication, referral processes, and the management of patients with neurodiverse issues.
While the hospital has not offered compensation, the family has been advised they can seek legal counsel.
