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Warning: This story contains the name and images of a deceased Indigenous person.
An Indigenous man was wrongly diagnosed with a drug-induced syndrome at a regional NSW hospital and staff did not investigate the cause of his “10 out of 10” stomach pain, an inquest has been told.
Ricky Hampson Jr went to Dubbo hospital on August 14, 2021 after feeling a tearing sensation in his abdomen and was seen “writhing in pain” in the waiting room.
The 36-year-old Kamilaroi-Dunghutti man was sedated and stayed overnight at the hospital – at times screaming in pain – before being discharged the next day.
Hampson Jr, known as Dougie, died at a friend’s house on the morning of August 16 from perforated duodenal ulcers.
An inquest into his death has been told a doctor at the hospital diagnosed Hampson Jr with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome after he admitted smoking cannabis that morning.
Counsel assisting the coroner Simeon Beckett SC said the doctor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has since acknowledged the diagnosis was incorrect.
“The question arises why an experienced and credentialed doctor … would reach a flawed diagnosis,” Beckett said during his opening address at the inquest in Dubbo on Monday.
Beckett said the coroner would be asked to consider why Hampson Jr did not have any scans and whether bias was a factor in his treatment.
Along with his race and drug use, Hampson Jr’s medical records listed his next-of-kin as a jail he had left the year before his death.
“I want to explore matters such as whether Dougie’s cannabis use, having been a prisoner, or being Aboriginal had any bearing on the diagnosis.”
The inquest heard Hampson Jr described his pain as “10 out of 10” when he presented to the emergency department after feeling a popping sensation in his stomach.
His heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate were high during his hospital stay, though his vital signs settled before he was discharged.
But he was in “obvious discomfort” and clutched his stomach when he was sent home with over-the-counter painkillers.
Hampson Jr’s family, who have long advocated for an inquest, conducted a smoking ceremony at Dubbo courthouse and wore matching shirts emblazoned with Dougie’s face.
Deputy State Coroner Erin Kennedy acknowledged the family was having to grieve in a difficult setting.
“This is an incredibly difficult task you’re being asked to go through,” Kennedy said.
“Grieving is something that most people get to do in their own way, in their own time, privately.
“This is very public, and very, very difficult.
She told them the inquest would be both emotional and go into technical medical details.
“(Dougie is) never forgotten in this process, we’re all here for him.”
Stuart Kettle, the barrister for Western NSW Local Health District, read out a statement apologising to the Hampson family and acknowledging the hospital’s shortcomings.
For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).
