'Change is on the way': How 'Joe's Rule' will protect families following tragedy
Sweeping changes to NSW hospitals are on the way, following the tragic and preventable death of 22-month-old Joe Massa.
The toddler was taken to the emergency department at Northern Beaches Hospital in September last year, after he spent the night vomiting.
But after hours waiting and a breakdown in communication between hospital staff, Joe did not receive the proper care for a condition called hypovolemia and was declared dead just after 10 that morning.
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Joe Massa in a hospital bed at Northern Beaches hospital. Supplied: Elouise and Danny Massa
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The little boy's parents met with NSW Premier Chris Minns this week and the state government has confirmed a raft of actions will be taken following the tragedy.
These include a parliamentary inquiry into the Northern Beaches Hospital, an independent inquiry into the emergency department, a review of the ownership model, a coronial inquest, potential legislation preventing the privatisation of hospitals, IT infrastructure upgrades and the implementation of Joe's Rule.
As devastated as Joe's parents, Elouise and Danny Massa are following their loss, they told Today these changes mean "it was worth going through all that heartache".
"Not only to ensure that Joe has a really beautiful memory, but for every single family in NSW, that change is on the way," Elouise said.
The outcomes after Joe's parents campaigned for change following Joe's death. Today
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"It's the number one priority of a medical practitioner to listen to parents and escalate accordingly, but I wasn't listened to.
"Joe's Rule means parents, if they enter an emergency department in any public hospital in NSW, they'll know exactly what to do.
"There will be a number they can call to escalate their concerns and they'll know how to speak up to the doctors and nurses and hopefully, especially after this, every doctor and nurse I trust in NSW will hear out the parents.
"It will just be a way for them to know how to raise awareness and to advocate for their child in the healthcare system."
Hear the full chat with Elouise and Danny in the video above
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