The family of a NSW woman injured in a horror crash and forced to walk across the border after a “disgraceful” experience in a Gold Coast hospital will file an official complaint.

20-year-old Phoebe was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital with broken ribs, a cracked sternum and internal bleeding.

She was discharged after 24 hours, put in a taxi, taken to a 7-Eleven on the QLD side of the border and told to walk over the border into NSW.

Three weeks later she was admitted to a Tweed Heads hospital for emergency surgery with further complications.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE

Ben Fordham had spoken to Phoebe’s mother, Joanne, who was horrified by the treatment of her daughter.

Gold Coast Health spokesperson full statement:

“We understand admission to hospital can be distressing, however, to minimise the risk of the spread of COVID-19 and to protect our staff and patients, we adhere to state-wide protocols when treating patients who have been in COVID-19 hot spots.

“These protocols include limiting contact with staff and visitors. Decisions about when to discharge patients from the hospital are based on clinical assessments.

“While a car accident is considered a traumatic event, injuries vary widely and can range from minor to very serious. Patients with serious trauma injuries have much longer hospital stays than 24 hours.

“Following a trauma incident, patients are assessed to determine their injuries, and investigations such as CT scans and x-rays are used to exclude serious injuries. On arrival at the hospital by ambulance, a trauma patient is reviewed by a specialist trauma team, with other specialist clinicians consulted as required.

“Discharge plans, including modes of transport, are made in consultation with patients. In cross-border situations, arrangements are sometimes made that involve the patient being taken to an agreed point to be met by family members.

“We encourage patients who have concerns about the care or service they have been provided to contact our Patient Liaison Service so they can be specifically followed up by our team.”