URGENT UPDATE: A woman in Kooweerup was left stranded for over six hours in freezing temperatures after being forcibly removed from Casey Hospital’s emergency department, igniting outrage among patients demanding answers.
Jennifer White, who suffers from chronic pain and requires a hip replacement, was taken to the hospital by ambulance on August 18, 2023, after collapsing on the street. “I just sat down to make a phone call and my hip went,” she recounted. After receiving initial treatment, doctors determined no further scans were necessary and discharged her with instructions to follow up with her GP.
However, the situation escalated dramatically when White requested a taxi voucher to return home at 1 AM. “I told them I had no one to call and couldn’t walk,” she said. Instead of assistance, she faced a shocking response: six security guards entered the room and forcibly removed her.
“Get out, let’s move,” one guard reportedly said, leaving White in a state of shock. Dressed only in a thin coat, she was forced outside into the cold, where she waited until dawn to call a neighbor for help. “My hands were purple. My face was purple. I huddled against a post to try and block out the cold,” White described, expressing deep emotional trauma from the experience. “This has hurt me deeply inside. I will never go back to Casey Hospital.”
The incident has sparked anger and fear among other patients. Kate, another patient, shared her experience: “This happened to me once. I was getting treated and suddenly they escorted me out, no explanation.” Another patient, Stan, recalled waiting eight hours in the emergency department with his partner, who had a broken leg, only to be told to leave without adequate care. “If you have private insurance, you should be okay. If not, good luck,” he said.
In response to the public outcry, a spokesperson for Monash Health stated, “We are deeply concerned about the difficulty the patient experienced getting home from Casey Hospital and we apologize for the distress it has caused.” They confirmed that a review is underway to assess the situation and improve patient care.
This incident highlights a growing concern among patients regarding the level of compassion and support they receive at the hospital. Many are now calling for immediate reforms to ensure that vulnerable patients are treated with dignity and respect. As the investigation unfolds, the hospital’s response will be closely watched by the community.
This developing story raises critical questions about patient care and trust in healthcare systems. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as they review the circumstances surrounding this traumatic experience.
