Family calls for inquest following death of Aboriginal man discharged from hospital

A grieving father has demanded answers as to why his deceased son "didn't get the right treatment" at Dubbo Hospital.

Protest for Ricky (Dougie) Hampson Jr

About 30 people gathered across from the Dubbo Hospital, calling for a coronial inquest into Ricky 'Dougie' Hampson Jr's death. Source: NITV News

A Kamilaroi Dunghutti family have accused hospital staff of "bias" following the death of a 36-year-old man last year.

Ricky Hampson Jr, better known as 'Dougie', presented to Dubbo Hospital in August 2021 with severe stomach pain, describing it as a "popping" or "tearing" sensation.

His family said he was sedated and given painkillers, then sent home 19 hours after presenting to the hospital, without a proper diagnosis.

The 36-year-old died from perforated duodenal ulcers in the early hours of the following morning.

Dougie Hampson's father, Ricky Hampson Senior said he wants his son remembered as the kind person he was.

"I want all the staff at Dubbo Hospital to remember his name," he told NITV News.

"I reckon everyone should remember Dougie for the person he was. He was a kind, gentle, caring man. He loved his children.

"He was polite to the (hospital) staff which goes to show - when you're in that amount of pain and to be polite to staff still, shows you what kind of man he was."
A photo of Ricky (Doug) Hampson Jr
Ricky "Dougie" Hampson Jr died in August last year, his family is now calling for a coronial inquest. Source: NITV News
Outside of Dubbo Hospital on Monday, Mr Hampson demanded answers, and called for change.

"We want to have a coronial inquest into our son's death," he said.

"He was misdiagnosed and didn't get the right treatment... (Ricky Jr) would want answers, just as we do, about why he didn't get the right treatment.

"They were biased against him and pretty much babysat him overnight and let him go the next day."

Mr Hampson said he'd like to see change in the NSW Health system so that no other family has to go through his experience. 

"I'd like to say to all people working in the NSW Health Service to listen out for the signs," he said.

"Don't judge people on the way that they look, the way they live their life, who they are, judge what they're seeking help for, investigate, save lives.

"That's what it's all about."

Last week, a Western NSW Local Health district spokesman offered their condolences to Mr Hampson's family  in a statement.

"The death of this man has been referred to the Coroner and the Western NSW Local Health will assist in the Coronial process," they said.

Share
Published 17 January 2022 5:07pm
Updated 17 January 2022 5:10pm
By Keira Jenkins
Source: NITV News


Share this with family and friends


Featured Live Channels

Subscribe to the NITV Newsletter

Receive the latest Indigenous news, sport, entertainment and more in your email inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Interviews and feature reports from NITV.
A mob-made podcast about all things Blak life.
Get the latest with our nitv podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on NITV
The Point: Referendum Road Trip

The Point: Referendum Road Trip

Live weekly on Tuesday at 7.30pm
Join Narelda Jacobs and John Paul Janke to get unique Indigenous perspectives and cutting-edge analysis on the road to the referendum.
#ThePoint