Grandmother Dies After 44-Hour Wait in Hospital Emergency Department
A beloved grandmother has tragically died after allegedly being left in a hospital waiting room for nearly two days because no bed was available. Maria Osborn, 63, was taken to Blacktown Hospital by paramedics with severe stomach pain around 5pm on November 16.
She was not admitted to a ward until approximately 4pm on November 18 – after spending 44 hours waiting in a wheelchair in the emergency department. After being transferred to intensive care the following morning, Maria passed away around 4.30am on November 20.
Husband Believes Earlier Treatment Could Have Saved Her Life
Her husband of 45 years, Stephen Osborn, told media that earlier medical intervention might have prevented her death. "It was septicemia in a bile duct. So if you had antibiotics earlier, it might have been a different story," Stephen said emotionally.
He expressed both grief and anger about the situation, stating he feels "angry for the staff down there and basically the population of Western Sydney." Stephen described how healthcare workers are stretched beyond capacity: "They're bringing a lot more people in, and the staff are expected to be in two or three places at the same time. They just can't cope."
"Bordering on Chaos" in Overcrowded Waiting Room
Stephen described the 44-hour wait as unbearable. "Forty-four hours in a wheelchair in the waiting room. Sitting anywhere in a wheelchair for a long time is bad enough, let alone being in pain," he recounted.
He painted a disturbing picture of the emergency department environment, calling it "bordering on chaos" with "people lying on the floor and people trying to push chairs together to make beds out of them."
Family Remembers Maria as Artistic and Family-Oriented
Wearing Maria's wedding ring on a necklace close to his heart, Stephen remembered his wife as artistic and deeply committed to family. "Maria liked going out for tea, having a few wines and playing the pokies," he shared fondly.
"She was a family type of person so we always have big family functions and Christmas and Easter's and birthdays and things," Stephen added, highlighting the profound loss felt by their extended family.
NSW Health Responds to Growing Crisis
NSW Health stated that during her wait, Maria had received tests and medication. However, the family has lodged a formal complaint seeking answers about her treatment.
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane called for accountability, saying "They deserve transparency. They deserve answers. It is long overdue we have a proper and thorough investigation into Western Sydney Health."
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park acknowledged emergency departments were under significant pressure, noting "We know that we've got a large number of people, aged care residents, stuck in our hospitals and that means access to beds is a challenge."
Systemic Issues in Western Sydney Healthcare
Stephen emphasized that overcrowding at Blacktown Hospital represents an ongoing systemic issue. "If we went down there today, there'd still be people waiting from last night and the night before today, because they just can't cope," he warned.
While more federal funding has been promised for struggling Western Sydney hospitals, Stephen insists immediate changes are necessary. "Things have to be changed," he demanded, calling for urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
The case has highlighted critical pressures on Australia's healthcare system, particularly in rapidly growing regions like Western Sydney where hospital resources struggle to meet community needs.
