ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith issued a heartfelt apology for the failings at the Canberra Hospital that resulted in the death of five-year-old Rozalia Spadafora in 2022. The minister acknowledged the family's profound grief and pledged that the ACT government would learn from this tragedy to prevent similar occurrences. The government announced several key commitments, including ensuring constant staffing of the Clinical Initiative Nurse position and recruiting more pediatric emergency specialists.
ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has offered an apology for the failings at the Canberra Hospital that contributed to the death of five-year-old Rozalia Spadafora in 2022. The minister acknowledged the family's 'inconsolable grief' and stated that the ACT government 'will not forget what happened to Rozalia'. Rozalia died from myocarditis, a complication arising from influenza A, on July 5, 2022, the day after her fifth birthday.
A coroner's inquest, concluded late last year, found that delays in Rozalia's treatment ultimately deprived her of a chance for survival. Coroner Ken Archer emphasized that her best hope for survival involved prompt and accurate diagnosis, followed by immediate airlifting to Sydney for specialized care. During her statement in the Legislative Assembly, Minister Stephen-Smith addressed the Spadafora family directly, who were present in the public gallery, including Rozalia's mother Katrina. The minister expressed her belief that Katrina had acted as any dedicated parent would, diligently seeking healthcare and advocating for her daughter's well-being. She stated, 'I don't have the legal responsibilities or constraints of a coroner, and so I can say to Katrina ... that I believe she did as much as any parent could be expected to do to seek healthcare and to advocate for Rozalia.'In response to the inquest findings, the ACT government outlined several commitments to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. These include ensuring the continuous staffing of the Clinical Initiative Nurse position, responsible for monitoring patients in the emergency department waiting room. The Canberra Hospital's Clinical Initiative Nurse will now be rostered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Additionally, the government highlighted the recruitment of additional pediatric emergency specialists who primarily work in the new pediatric emergency department, which opened last year. Minister Stephen-Smith stressed the importance of providing specialized care to patients in need, acknowledging that the government is committed to learning from this tragedy and implementing comprehensive changes to improve patient care and safety within the Canberra Hospital
ACT Health Canberra Hospital Rozalia Spadafora Coroner's Inquest Myocarditis Influenza A Pediatric Emergency Care
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