Amanda Young, a patient with a history of chronic back pain, has raised serious concerns about her treatment at Townsville Hospital after experiencing severe pain in March 2023. After calling for an ambulance, Young was initially treated with medication and sent home. However, just four hours later, she found herself in unbearable agony, prompting her to seek help again.
Upon her return to the hospital, Young described a distressing encounter with medical staff. “I was told by the doctor to shut up due to my symptoms and me being in pain,” Young recounted. She pleaded for medication to alleviate her suffering but was informed that she had already received appropriate treatment and that the medications prescribed could take weeks to take effect.
In her account, Young expressed frustration at being perceived as a “drug seeker.” She stated, “I was treated like I was drug seeking… I was told there was nothing wrong with me.” The situation escalated as Young, struggling with her pain, had difficulty even walking. “They put me in a bed… I begged them for a bedpan. They wouldn’t even give me a bedpan,” she said, highlighting her humiliation during the ordeal.
Feeling increasingly alarmed about her treatment, Young began recording her interactions with staff. Hospital personnel, however, instructed her to stop filming, stating it was illegal, and ultimately sent her home in a taxi. “I crawled up my front steps to get into my bed at home,” she said, reflecting on the distressing experience.
The following day, a Ryan’s Rule advocate advised Young to return to the hospital if her condition did not improve. Ryan’s Rule, established in memory of a patient who died from an undiagnosed infection, allows individuals to raise concerns if they feel their health issues are not being adequately addressed. This time, she was referred to a surgeon, who provided the appropriate medication almost immediately.
After a year of ongoing pain, Young eventually underwent surgery, where surgeons discovered large bone spurs pressing against her nerves—issues that previous MRI scans had failed to detect. “The operation did take an extra four hours longer than what it was supposed to due to the severity of the condition,” she explained. Young now lives with chronic pain and feels that delays in her treatment have resulted in permanent nerve damage.
Despite the confirmation of her medical condition, Young fears being labeled as a “drug seeker” in her medical records. “Doctors frown upon that when I go into the hospital… it makes it harder for me to get medication or treatment,” she said. Young emphasized her concern for other vulnerable patients who may not have the ability to advocate for themselves. “It’s extremely scary that patients like myself can walk into a hospital and not be taken seriously,” she stated.
In response to Young’s allegations, Kieran Keyes, the Chief Executive of Townsville Hospital and Health Service, released a statement asserting that investigations found her concerns were addressed appropriately. Keyes stated, “The patient has previously raised a number of concerns… regarding emergency department presentations, the use of Ryan’s Rule and the timing of follow-up treatment.”
The hospital’s spokesperson added that Young’s presentations to the emergency department in March 2023 were assessed clinically, and she was provided with pain relief. They noted that after her concerns were raised, her care was reviewed by multiple senior staff members, and no further escalation of Ryan’s Rule was deemed necessary.
Young continues to call for greater awareness and sensitivity toward patients in pain. “Don’t just assume that people were drug seeking… there are a lot of people that are going out to the hospital in genuine pain,” she urged. Her experience serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to patients and addressing their concerns with compassion and understanding.
