Mother Dies After Delay
The Age
Wednesday March 29, 2006
THE inquest on a woman who suffered heavy blood loss hours after giving birth has heard she was made to wait almost 40 minutes as her doctor organised for a transfer to a public hospital because she did not have private health insurance. Thai national Piyanat Siriwan suffered a cardiac arrest as she was being transferred from South Eastern Private Hospital to Monash Medical Centre on April 1, 2004. The inquest, which began yesterday, was told an ambulance for the 33-year-old flight attendant waited 39 minutes at the hospital while her doctor, Maurice Lichter, arranged for her transfer to a public hospital because she was not privately insured. The Coroners Court heard that Dr Lichter, a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist, had made plans for the woman to be sent to The Valley Private Hospital but swapped when he realised she was not insured. Dr Lichter yesterday told the court that the 39-minute delay was also due to an argument with paramedics about whether they should have sent a specialised care ambulance. He said he was also organising for an anaesthetist to accompany the woman on the ambulance. Ms Siriwan's husband, Harrinat, said in a statement that money was not an issue. When he was asked about private health insurance he said: "Any hospital that will save my wife's life will do and I will pay." The Siriwans' daughter will turn two on Saturday. The inquest, before coroner Paresa Spanos, continues. -- DANIELLA MILETIC
© 2006 The Age
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