Waikato Hospital death: Family of ‘loved, respected’ man who died in emergency department speak out
The family of Brent Horsburgh is seeking answers following his death in the Waikato Hospital emergency department waiting room. Health New Zealand is conducting a serious adverse event investigation into the circumstances of his passing.
Why it matters
It underscores critical concerns regarding emergency department wait times and patient safety within the public healthcare system.
The family of a man who died in an emergency department waiting room say “many questions remain unanswered”.
The Herald ’s Michael Morrah revealed last month that a man collapsed and died in Waikato Hospital’s ED waiting room toilet, with a hospital source saying he’d been waiting “nine hours”.
According to details from Health NZ’s “rapid clinical review” , Brent Horsburgh died after an “acute unexpected incident”, with a more thorough “serious adverse event” investigation set to be completed within two months.
In a statement sent to the Herald ‚ Horsburgh’s family said they are “still in shock” about the “devastating” loss of their husband, father and poppa, who was “loved and respected by so many people”.
The family said “many questions remain unanswered” and they will be seeking answers through the investigation into his death.
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