Disability advocate Tony Rudd is at a loss to explain why 35-year-old profoundly disabled man Graeme Padden has been “kept a prisoner” at Bloomfield Hospital with an around-the-clock security service watching his every move.
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A Disability Information Advocacy Service coordinator, Mr Rudd says he has never met anyone who has been “so totally abandoned by the system” as Mr Padden.
A tearful and clearly distraught Mr Padden, whose injuries were the result of a one-car accident in August 2006, said he couldn’t understand why he was being forced to live “like a prisoner”.
“I haven’t done anything wrong. I was just in a car accident but I wasn’t charged,” he said. “I don’t understand why they have been allowed to pick on me like this. Please, somebody help me.”
Mr Padden claims he has been mistreated and neglected at Bloomfield, assertions which have been backed by Mr Rudd and several sources inside the hospital, who did not wish to be named.
Mr Rudd, who is acting as Mr Padden’s advocate, said he has written several letters to various organisations and individuals including the Minister for Disability Services Kristina Keneally, asking for an explanation as to why there is no strategy in place to have Mr Padden re-housed back in the community.
Mr Rudd said it was imperative for Mr Padden’s well-being and recovery that he be removed from the inappropriate care being given to him at Bloomfield.
As a result of Mr Padden’s accident he has had a series of on-going health issues related to his traumatic brain and orthopaedic injuries.
His recovery has been further complicated by the epileptic seizures he developed post-accident and his diagnosis of Lance Adams Syndrome, a condition which gives him involuntary muscle jerking.
Unable to even hold his own cigarette, since the accident Mr Padden had previously been cared for by his wife in the home they shared with their two young daughters.
However his wife’s subsequent diagnosis with a chronic illness has meant she was no-longer able to care for him.
With no carer, and unable to pay for private home care, Mr Padden was admitted to Blayney Hospital and transferred to Bloomfield Hospital in March this year where he was housed alongside psychiatrically ill patients.
Mr Rudd said despite his client’s previous history as a bit of a “bad boy”, at the time of the accident he was fully employed, not using drugs and living life as a family man.
Mr Padden admits that frustration over his situation has caused him to vocalise his unhappiness to some staff members, however he said that he has never physically harmed any staff at Bloomfield Hospital.
Despite his lack of mobility and without any record of a violent incidence, Mr Padden is now housed in a segregated room with a security guard assigned to watch him 24-hours a day.
Mr Rudd believes this money would be better spent finding Mr Padden more appropriate accommodation.
“I can’t understand why they (Bloomfield) haven’t put a discharge plan in place,” said Mr Rudd.
Mr Padden said he doesn’t know why he is being forced to endure this treatment, and why Bloomfield hospital has no plans to move him back into the community.
He said he resents the fact that he can’t even shower or go to the toilet without his actions being monitored via a closed circuit security camera.
“I just want to go home, please, please help. I feel like I’m having a break down, I just want to see my daughters.”
A spokesperson from the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) said in adherence to NSW privacy legislation it would be “inappropriate for the organisation to comment on the status of any person without their prior consent”.
“However, the health service makes every effort to ensure that the most suitable care is provided to patients in the most appropriate environment.”
GWAHS refused to comment on Mr Padden’s claims of mistreatment.
