'Hospital killed my dad' claim

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'Hospital killed my dad' claim
The Hills Private Hospital blamed for Dr Phil Davis' death

Article from: The Daily Telegraph

By Kate Sikora, Health Reporter

July 24, 2008 12:00am

IT WAS the dying wish of a Sydney grandfather for his family to find out why he was forced to wait hours as a Sydney hospital attempted to "borrow" a life-saving machine.

And, as the family of Dr Phil Davis bury him today, they are demanding to know how a private hospital failed to provide adequate care.

The well-known veterinarian, who taught at Sydney University for 46 years, died on Sunday of a heart attack with his five children at his bedside.

His family believe he could still be alive if it wasn't for The Hills Private Hospital at Baulkham Hills taking up to 10 hours to place him on a dialysis machine to treat his blood poisoning.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph yesterday his son Paul said his father knew he was dying the past three weeks as a result of the delay in being placed on the dialysis.

"He said to me 'Paul, I am buggered'. Before he died he told us to demand answers," his son said.

Three weeks ago Dr Davis, 73, collapsed at his Box Hill home. He was suffering cellulitis, a form of blood poisoning in his leg.

He was taken to The Hills Hospital, but the only dialysis machine available was in use. Hospital staff approached hospitals all over Sydney before borrowing a machine from Blacktown Hospital.

The family claims that by the time Dr Davis was placed on dialysis blood poisoning had travelled through his system, affecting his heart.

"He studied heamatology and he knew that those lost hours were vital," his son Paul said.

"He was angry that, as a lifetime private patient, this was the service he got. When the machine arrived they didn't have the right wires and had to get a taxi to get the wires."

A spokesman for the hospital last night admitted there had been a delay in finding the machine.

But he said it took only four hours to locate the machine and that Dr Davis' death was not related to the delay.

Despite this, the family of the grandfather of 14 have vowed to pursue the matter once they bury him today at St Matthew's Catholic Church in Windsor.

"We are not criticising the care from some of the doctors, nurses and wardsmen who went out of their way in the past few weeks to look after dad," Paul said.

"We want answers as to why a private hospital could not provide the emergency care he needed."

Yesterday his former university colleagues paid tribute to the senior lecturer, who was also well regarded in the greyhound industry.

Dr Davis' was a vet for the Richmond Greyhound racing club.

John Coughlan, CEO of Greyhound and Harness Racing Regional Authority, said the industry had lost a significant member.

"He will be sorely missed," he said.

"He provided significant and quality advice for a long period of time."

Described as a "rough and ready" character, Dr Davis has left a legacy at Sydney University.

Max Zuber, associate professor of veterinary science, said: "He was a gentle giant. He could appear intimidating to those who didn't know him but he had a heart of gold."

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24067867-5006009,00.html?from=public_rss