Arabic version: وزير يعتذر بعد أن علمت عائلة بالوفاة عبر الإعلام

According to ABC News, Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls has apologised after the family of a 53-year-old Annerley man learned of his death through media reports. The man died at his Brisbane home on Saturday night after waiting about two hours for an ambulance.

The man had called Triple Zero on Saturday evening while experiencing chest pains. Given his proximity to Princess Alexandra Hospital, he was asked to make his own way there. Paramedics later arrived at the home in Brisbane’s south and found him dead.

Mr Nicholls said he became aware of the death on Monday and sought further information from the Queensland Ambulance Service. He said the family was distressed after seeing reports on Thursday, and apologised if that had caused them further distress. He said the man was not known to Queensland Health and there were no contact details available.

The family was due to meet senior Queensland Ambulance Service officials on Thursday afternoon. A review of the incident has been ordered. Mr Nicholls said he expected the critical incident review to provide answers about how and why the circumstances occurred, along with recommendations to improve services.

Separately, a man in his 80s died on Tuesday while waiting for a bed at Mater Hospital for approximately three hours. Mr Nicholls said reviews into both deaths were under way and expected to be completed through a “fairly rapid process.”