Do you feel your medical injury is being ignored or misdiagnosed?
If a patient, parent, carer or family member feels that their concerns are not being listened to in relation to their own treatment or the treatment of their loved one, relative, or a person in their care in a Queensland Health Hospital, then they are able to request a Clinical Review be undertaken.
This is called Ryan’s Rule, and it applies to all patients of all ages.
The story behind Ryan’s Rule
Ryan’s Rule is named after little Ryan Saunders who was 3 years old when he became ill.
He complained to his mother of having pain all over his body. His mother took him to his local General Practitioner, who informed her that Ryan was suffering from Mumps and prescribed him Panadol and Nurofen. This was a misdiagnosis. Ryan’s condition continued to deteriorate and four days later he was transported to Emerald Hospital by ambulance.
Emerald Hospital provided no relief for little Ryan or his parents
Ryan continued to suffer significant pain and he remained undiagnosed. Eventually Ryan was critically transferred to Rockhampton Hospital, where, 30 hours later, brave little Ryan, who was in considerable pain, passed away.
Throughout his illness, Ryan’s parents told doctors and hospital staff that their son was in significant pain and something was very wrong, but they believe nothing was done to properly respond to their pleas for help.
They felt their concerns were simply dismissed without any proper consideration.
An autopsy Revealed Ryan was suffering from a serious bacterial infection
An autopsy indicated that Ryan was suffering from a serious bacterial infection that the doctors had been treating with Panadol. The Queensland State Coroner found that Ryan’s passing was more than likely preventable if he had been properly diagnosed and treated with antibiotics.
As a result, the Health Quality and Complaints Commission put forward recommendations, which resulted in the implementation of Ryan’s Rule in November 2013.
Ryan’s Rule does not just apply to children
Ryan’s tragic death has saved the lives of others because of Ryan’s Rule
Although it is now tragically too late for Ryan’s parents to invoke Ryan’s Rule, they can hopefully gain some peace of mind in knowing that Ryan’s circumstances are now preventing the same horror and frustration that they experienced.
A mother, who felt her health was deteriorating after giving birth to her second child and her concerns were being ignored by treating hospital staff, invoked Ryan’s Rule.
She requested a Ryan’s Rule Clinical Review by calling 13HEALTH, and was immediately contacted by a Director of the hospital. Within minutes of that phone call, the necessary treatment the new mother needed was provided.
Another incidence where Ryan’s Rule has been invoked
Another incidence was the case of a Gold Coast mother, Lili Curtis, whose young daughter was repeatedly turned away from Queensland hospitals. She was turned away 8 times in 17 days.
The mother invoked Ryan’s Rule and following her call to 13HEALTH, her concerns were listened to and her daughter was given the appropriate treatment for a serious lung condition.
More than 80 cases of Ryan’s Rule to date but more awareness is needed
So far, Queensland Health has recorded just over 80 cases where Ryan’s Rule has been invoked since 2013. This is thanks to word of mouth from those who have relied on it, but also through media reporting of such incidences.
In the modern world of medicine, where our medical services are strapped to keep up with demands, often the complaints of those injured or sick are dismissed without due consideration. If you feel that you are not getting the right treatment, or someone you care for is not receiving the treatment they should be, then you too can invoke Ryan’s Rule.
How do I invoke Ryan’s Rule?
If you wish to invoke Ryan’s Rule for yourself or on behalf of a loved one, relative or a person in your care, then you simply need to call 13HEALTH, and the process will immediately be implemented.
Queensland Hospitals suggest, for hospital patients, that firstly a nurse is approached about any concerns regarding treatment or the lack thereof, and if this is not responded to sufficiently, then the head nurse is approached. If still there is no satisfactory response, then they suggest calling 13HEALTH.
Is Ryan’s Rule only in Queensland?
Queensland has implemented Ryan’s Rule. NSW has a similar program called REACH (Recognise, Engage, Act, Call and Help is on its way) in some hospitals in that State. Canberra Hospital has a program called CARE (Call And Respond Early). However, there would appear to be no similar programs in other States in Australia.
At TPIL, we’re supportive of Ryan’s Rule applying nationally across Australia. We also are trying here to support and highlight this program and the means of accessing it and we’d like to see more awareness of this medical review process implemented for all. If you think you need to invoke Ryan’s Rule you can do so here, or if you feel this is part of a more serious injury situation and you’d like to talk to an expert about it, you can contact us for a no-obligation chat.
