A grieving family from Sydney is demanding an independent inquiry into Northern Beaches Hospital following the death of their beloved two-year-old son, Joe. Elouise and Danny Massa took Joe to the hospital’s emergency department on September 14 after he experienced severe vomiting overnight. Upon arrival, Joe was found to have hypovolemia, yet his parents allege he was wrongly classified as a low-priority patient despite his dangerously high heart rate of 183 beats per minute.
The Massa family claims the hospital overlooked vital signs of Joe’s deteriorating condition, insisting that their pleas for immediate treatment, including intravenous fluids, were neglected. Tragically, Joe remained unmonitored for over two hours, and his distress went unaddressed, resulting in his loss of consciousness. Following his death, a review by the hospital identified significant failures in the care provided, including delays in recognising his critical state.
Expressing their heartbreak, Mrs Massa stated, “No parents should have to endure this.” Joe is remembered as a beautiful boy with an infectious smile, loved dearly by his family. The hospital has offered condolences and committed to implementing necessary changes to improve its emergency procedures.