UPDATE: An urgent inquest has revealed that Paul Harris, a 43-year-old Indigenous man, died from a blood clot likely linked to Q fever that went undiagnosed at Hay Hospital in New South Wales. The tragic details emerged during proceedings at the Griffith Local Court, highlighting critical failures in medical assessments prior to his death on October 17, 2019.
The inquest has raised serious concerns about the care Mr. Harris received after being first admitted for a suspected case of community-acquired pneumonia in late September 2019. Dr. Ahmed Hosni, one of the attending physicians, initially treated Mr. Harris, who seemed to respond to antibiotics. However, his health rapidly deteriorated, leading to a return to the clinic on October 9 after he coughed up blood.
During this critical visit, Dr. Hosni acknowledged the possibility of a pulmonary embolism but ultimately decided to focus on pneumonia as the primary diagnosis. He stated, “I changed my mind,” indicating that the hospital’s limited resources and lack of advanced diagnostic tools may have contributed to the oversight. Expert reports presented at the inquest criticized the decision-making process, stating that life-threatening conditions like clots should have been thoroughly ruled out.
Despite the urgency, Mr. Harris was not transferred to a larger facility for further evaluation. Five days later, he remained critically ill, prompting Dr. Hosni to order additional tests, but it was too late. The inquest uncovered that the medical staff at Hay Hospital acted on “most likely” scenarios instead of fully investigating potential life-threatening issues.
Q fever, a disease caused by bacteria typically transmitted from livestock to humans, can provoke an immune response that increases the risk of blood clots. Dr. Hosni, now in a different role in Victoria, expressed deep remorse to Mr. Harris’s family during the inquest, stating, “I feel very sorry for what’s happened.” He recounted his memories of Mr. Harris as a kind and approachable individual.
The Murrumbidgee Local Health District offered “sincere and profound” condolences through barrister Richard Sergi, acknowledging the devastating impact of Mr. Harris’s death. The health district has taken steps to improve conditions for rural doctors, including programs addressing fatigue and enhancing cultural training.
The inquest continues under the supervision of Deputy State Coroner Rebecca Hosking, as the community grapples with the implications of this tragic case. The deaths of individuals like Mr. Harris highlight the urgent need for improved healthcare protocols in rural settings to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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