In August 2019, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patient Yvette Booth presented at Doomadgee Hospital in north-west Queensland with a cough, fever and vomiting.
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains images of people who have died
The 18-year-old was given paracetamol and turned away. It was the first of several visits to the Doomadgee and Townsville hospitals where it is alleged she failed to receive proper medical care.
A month later, Ms Booth died.
Her case was one of three investigated by ABC’s Four Corners in March.
The investigation alleged Doomadgee Hospital had a track record of failing to follow basic medical procedures and keep up-to-date records of some patients' medical history.
Coronial inquest to launch
As a result of the Four Corners report, a coronial inquest will launch on Monday in Doomadgee.
The inquest will investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, as well as the adequacy of care provided by Doomadgee Hospital and Gidgee Healing.
North West Hospital Health Service chief executive Craig Carey said in March that, while the deaths were traumatic, they did not signal a broken system.
That was despite complaints made to Queensland's Health Ombudsman from whistleblower staff alleging cost cutting at the expense of patient care.
"The state government has a hell of a lot to answer for," state Member for Treagar Robbie Katter said.
Community leader Alec Doomadgee said they were "sick of excuses".
"We want changes. I'm sick of burying my people."
