A lot has been written about Ryan’s Rule and despite this there remains a misconception that Ryan’s Rule can only be applied when the patient is a child. This is absolutely not the case.

As we are heading into the School holiday period with families going on holidays or attending the various Commonwealth games events this article serves as a timely reminder that Ryan’s Rule can be enacted when at a hospital if you as the parent, carer or family member are concerned about the health care being provided to your loved one of any age.

By way of background the Rule came about after Ryan Saunders a 2-year-old toddler boy died in 2007 due to the hospital’s failure to diagnose and to provide appropriate medical care to him. He died from an undiagnosed Streptococcal infection, which led to Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Following Ryan Saunders tragic death, the Coroner, Queensland’s Health Quality and Complaints Commission (now Office of the Health Ombudsman) and Health department were critical of the care provided and recommendations were made and implemented to prevent it happening again.

In summary Ryan’s Rule;

• Is a three-step process to support patients of any age, their families and carers, to raise concerns if a patient’s health condition is getting worse or not improving as well as expected;
• applies to all patients admitted to any Queensland Health public hospital and in some Hospital in the Home (HITH) services. It is important to note here that it does not apply in Private Hospital, although other complaints process are available in these hospitals;

The Ryan’s Rule escalation process is as follows:

• Step 1: Talk to a nurse or doctor about your concerns. If you are not satisfied with the response, go to the next step.
• Step 2: Talk to the nurse in charge of the shift. If you are not satisfied with the response, go to the next step.
• Step 3: Phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or ask a nurse to phone for you, and request a Ryan’s Rule Clinical Review. You will need to provide the following:
  • Hospital name
  • Patient’s name
  • Ward and bed number (if known)
  • Your contact number

Once the Rule is enacted, a nurse or doctor will undertake a Ryan’s Rule clinical review of the patient and the treatment they are receiving. This is where for instance any gaps in treatment, diagnosis and/or review of the treatment being provided can be scrutinised.

Ryan’s Rule is implemented as a last resort if all other complaints process highlighted above fails.

Ryan’s Rule gives voice to the parent, carer and family member with legitimate concerns about the health care being provided to their loved ones. No longer do you have to look helpless from the sidelines it provides a sense of empowerment and validity to their concerns.

Share this article with a friend, family member, neighbor or even a stranger it may just help to save a life.

It might shock you to know that as a Personal Injury Lawyer, Compensation Lawyer or Injury lawyer I do not chase Ambulances.

Compensation lawyers in the mind of the average person seems to conjure the image of a Lawyer with a brief case chasing after an Ambulance.

I can assure you that most Compensation lawyers did not spend four to five years at university, 6-12 months of college of law and then another two years of supervision to chase an ambulance to secure claimants.

It does not help the image when the urban dictionary goes to the trouble of including and defining Ambulance Chasers as; “ an unethical lawyer, especially those who represent plaintiffs in personal injury actions.”

The origin of this popular phrase if Google is to be believed; “……. dates from late 19^th century; from reputation gained by certain lawyers for attending accidents and encouraging victims to sue.”

And henceforth all who dare to work in the field of compensation were tarnished.

At its core the role of a Compensation Lawyer is to help claimants injured through no fault of their own navigate the complexities or road blocks of accessing their entitlements, so they can get back on track. The compensation lawyer is often;

• The one who knows the ins and outs of your injury claim;
• The one who knows the impact of the injury and claims process on you and your family;
• The one who is there for the highs and lows;
• The one that listens to you, and
• The one in your corner from the beginning through to the end of your claim when all others have lost interest in your injury claim.

A Compensation Lawyer typically works in all or some of the following areas;

• Motor Accident claim;
• Work Injury Claims;
• Public Liability Claims;
• Medical Negligence Claims, and
• Superannuation/TPD Claims

Just as there are good and bad people there are also good and bad lawyers. Some tough questions to ask before engaging a Compensation Lawyer are;

• Will you be accessible;
• Will you return my calls;
• Are you an expert in your field;
• Will you be upfront with me;
• Will you be charging an uplift on the legal fees, and;
• Are you a lawyer.

The position remains in Queensland that the Compensation Scheme is heavily regulated. Aside from the ethical implications of ‘chasing ambulances,’  it is insulting to suggest or surmise that the only way we are capable of helping those in the need of our services is to queue in front an ambulance or the like.

In summary as a Compensation Lawyer my central motivation remains to help others and I take immense pleasure meeting a claimant for the first time, navigating them through the highs and lows of the compensation process and coming out at the end with an outcome which sets them and their family back on track. To make a living from this is bonus.