The region was experiencing a holiday boom after 18 months of lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic. Families were flocking to the area for vacations. Dr. Paul Bumford and triage nurse Read Moreland discussed the challenges they faced during this time, with Moreland describing it as a “shitstorm.” Moreland expressed concern about the lack of resources to manage the increasing workload from holidaymakers. She noted instances where patients were told it would be faster to drive themselves to the hospital rather than wait for an ambulance, which happened in the case of Noah.
Noah’s parents, Ben and Steph Souvatzis, took their son to multiple regional health services after he became increasingly unwell while on holiday. They first went to Alpine Health Care Centre in Myrtleford and were then sent to the Wangaratta emergency department. Despite their concerns, they were discharged with a sicker child than when they arrived. Ben Souvatzis recounted the chaos and disagreements among staff as he held semi-conscious Noah in the waiting line at the emergency department.
In 2023, it was revealed that the state’s hospital watchdog, Safer Care Victoria, had raised concerns about a lack of pediatric expertise among some doctors and nurses caring for children. The watchdog noted that clinicians were providing services to children “outside of their comfort zone.” This information came to light during the inquest into Noah’s death, which is ongoing. The coroner is investigating the medical care Noah received and whether his death could have been prevented.
Triage nurse Read Moreland recalled the overwhelming days leading up to Noah’s arrival at the hospital. She had reached out to others, expressing concerns about the workload and lack of resources to manage the increasing number of patients during the holiday season. Moreland mentioned that it was common to hear about patients trying to get ambulances but being advised to drive themselves to the hospital, a frightening scenario for both patients and hospital staff.
Noah’s parents, Ben and Steph Souvatzis, previously testified about their experience seeking medical care for their son while on vacation in the area. They described being turned away from multiple health services and feeling like they were not receiving the appropriate level of care for Noah’s condition. The father, Ben Souvatzis, recounted the chaos and panic he witnessed at the hospital while holding his sick son in the waiting line. The inquest into Noah’s death shed light on deficiencies in pediatric expertise and the challenges faced by clinicians providing care to children.
The inquest into Noah’s death continues as the coroner investigates the circumstances surrounding his tragic passing. The case has prompted discussions about the challenges faced by healthcare professionals during busy holiday periods and the importance of having adequate resources to meet the needs of patients. The testimony from witnesses, including triage nurse Read Moreland and Noah’s parents, Ben and Steph Souvatzis, has highlighted the difficulties and shortcomings in the healthcare system that need to be addressed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
