The family of an Indigenous man who died less than 24 hours after being discharged from Dubbo Base Hospital walked out of an inquest on Wednesday as the senior doctor who misdiagnosed him gave an apology.
The Hampson family has granted permission to the ABC to use Ricky “Dougie” Hampson Jr’s name and image.
Dougie Hampson died on August 16, 2021, 24 hours after leaving Dubbo Base Hospital, where he had been misdiagnosed with a syndrome caused by long-term cannabis use.
The 36-year-old had presented to the hospital with severe abdominal pain and a ‘popping’ sensation in his stomach.
His cause of death was later established to be the result of two perforated ulcers.
Concluding his evidence on Wednesday, the senior doctor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stood up in the witness box and apologised to Mr Hampson’s family.
“I’m very sorry for your loss,” he said.
“I wish I could go back and change things, but I know I can’t go back and change things.
“It’s a mistake and a tragic outcome that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
