Ballarat, Australia—Sissy Austin, a 30-year-old Gunditjmara woman and former member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, has reported a distressing account of her treatment at a Ballarat hospital after being brutally attacked during a run in a nearby forest last year. Austin’s woes didn’t end with the assault as she narrated how she was left to fend for herself in the hospital despite severe head injuries, resulting in her decision to leave the medical facility under duress and confusion.
The incident was highlighted by Victoria’s Health Minister at the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s truth-telling inquiry, where shocking details of Austin’s hospital experience were disclosed. “Completely and utterly unacceptable” were the words used by the minister to describe the treatment Austin received, which she relayed as both unsafe and uncaring.
Upon arrival at Ballarat Base Hospital via ambulance, post-assault, Austin was reportedly left alone, continually vomiting and battling dizziness from her head injuries. Her departure from the hospital was just as chaotic; she was allegedly coaxed to sign discharge papers without fully understanding her condition or the consequences of her release. Later, she realized she had signed a ‘discharge at your own risk’ form.
In the early hours following her discharge, Austin found herself alone and disoriented on the streets of Ballarat at 1 a.m., an experience that left her feeling unsafe and subsequently led to the police finding her in a state of confusion and distress.
Days after her ordeal, the lack of clarity regarding her treatment and the discharge process became evident, raising serious concerns about patient safety protocols, especially concerning individuals with significant head injuries.
This troubling story prompted further investigations by Victoria’s health department. Additionally, Austin lodged a formal complaint with Grampians Health, which manages the hospital, and has sought further action through her local representative.
Compounding the issue is data suggesting that Indigenous Australians are leaving hospitals at significantly higher rates than their non-Indigenous counterparts, often against medical advice. This trend could point to broader systemic issues of cultural safety and trust within healthcare settings that need addressing.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission, a body tasked with investigating the ongoing effects of colonization on First Peoples in Victoria, is now examining injustices within the state’s health, housing, and education systems, using Austin’s case as a critical example of the failures in healthcare.
Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter expressed her shock at the systemic failings revealed through Austin’s story, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure the safety and dignity of Aboriginal patients in healthcare facilities.
Despite the horrific nature of her first experience post-assault, Austin reported receiving more attentive care during a subsequent hospital visit which was arranged by her doctor – highlighting the variability in care and the influence of advocacy.
The Department of Health has acknowledged the failures and expressed commitment to improving healthcare experiences for Aboriginal Victorians, recognizing that significant changes are necessary to regain trust and ensure equitable care.
This incident illuminates not only the immediate changes required in hospital discharge protocols but also the broader need for systemic reform to address healthcare disparities and ensure cultural safety for all patients, particularly the Indigenous communities in Victoria.