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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-07-03 Daily Xml
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Cardiac Services

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, the Hon. Stephen Wade, about delays to see cardiac specialists in our hospitals.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: Today, heartbroken Anne Copson and her husband Geoffrey, laid to rest their 18-year-old granddaughter, Keira Moreldo, whom they raised in care along with Keira's two siblings. Keira's death was untimely and unnecessary. She died in her sleep on 19 June from a genetic heart condition called long QT syndrome, which had only been diagnosed on 13 June after she collapsed on a night out and was taken to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. Doctors there had picked up an irregular heartbeat and her grandparents were told that she was an urgent category 1 patient and perhaps needed a defibrillator.

After four days, Keira was discharged with medication and a heart monitor and was referred to the Lyell McEwin Hospital to see a cardiac specialist. But, the hospital told Kiera she had to wait until the end of September, or it was suggested to her GP that she could see a specialist in Norwood sooner if she went as a private patient. But it was too late for Kiera. Long QT syndrome is an irregular heartbeat disorder known to cause sudden death and, while it is incurable, it is very treatable and Kiera could have looked forward to a long life. My questions to the minister are:

1. Why was such a high-risk patient like Kiera sent home when it appeared to treating doctors she needed urgent surgery?

2. What is the length of waiting to seek cardiac and other specialists at all our major hospitals?

3. Does the minister believe it is acceptable that a teenager with her life ahead of her was let down by our health system, and will he order an urgent independent investigation into the nature of Kiera's death?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:45): I am aware of the case that the honourable member refers to. My deepest sympathies are with the family of the young woman. I am unable to comment further as the Coroner is, I am advised, investigating the case. In relation to the member's comment in relation to waits at outpatient clinics, I refer him to the SA Health website where, as of this last weekend, we are publishing the information he seeks.

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