A grandfather walked into hospital wanting back pain treatment - 21 hours later he was dead
An investigation into the death of 86-year-old Leo Barraclough at Caboolture Hospital reveals significant concerns regarding the quality of care provided. The family is questioning the hospital's internal classification of the death as 'not unexpected' to avoid a coroner's inquiry.
Why it matters
The case raises serious questions about hospital accountability, emergency department staffing, and the transparency of internal death reviews.
Leo Barraclough died at Caboolture Hospital in 2024. ( Supplied )
Link copied Share Share article In late June 2024, a crisis unfolded in the short-staffed emergency ward at Caboolture Hospital just north of Brisbane.
Flatlining one morning in one of the bays was 86-year-old grandfather Leo Barraclough.
Clinicians swarmed trying to revive the pensioner using a drug best known for reversing overdoses in heroin addicts.
The scene was in almost unimaginable contrast to how he had arrived at the state-run hospital.
The previous afternoon, the local resident had walked into emergency seeking treatment for his ongoing severe back pain.
Now 14 hours later, doctors were trying to get a tube down Mr Barraclough's vomit-choked throat to help him breathe while they tried to find his heartbeat.
Later that day his family received news of his death.
Leo and Vonnie Barraclough with family. ( Supplied )
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