I'm a Registered Nurse, mental health endorsed, qualified in that speciality (and working in the area), since 1978. That's 31 years. I started my training in 1975 (when I was 18), and I'm nearly 53 now. Over that time, I've seen a lot, including suicides and extreme despair. I didn't come down with the last shower. I've also just read the expert assessment of Schapelle Corby's Australian psychiatrist, Dr. Phillips, and watched his recent interview on Channel 7's Morning Show (20th Dec 2009). This guy knows exactly what he's talking about, and I am shocked and appalled beyond measure that an Australian citizen has been completely abandoned, as regards life-saving treatment and care, by the people we pay our taxes to protect us. Rudd et al, are you listening?Schapelle Corby is suffering from a life threatening psychotic depression that could kill her at any time. This isn't just "Nerves," or "Feeeling a bit bad." This is a whole different ball game. This is a waking dream, or rather, a waking nightmare. All hope is lost, and bizarre beliefs and terrors haunt every conscious moment. Death welcomes as the only way out, thus the risk of suicide (if left untreated), is off the scale. If Schapelle was in prison in Australia right now, she would have been transferred out to a secure psychiatric facility immediately, and she would have qualified nurse by her side 24 hours a day. In other words, she would be "Specialled," to prevent her from harming herself, and a psychiatric registrar would monitor her mental state every day. Further, her medication would be administered by qualified nursing staff, who would also give expert intervention and support round the clock.
But what's Schapelle getting for this life-threatening illness? I'll you tell what she's getting, bugger all. Nothing. Zero. Her anti-depressant medication is merely "Given" to her by another inmate, which personally leaves me open-mouthed with astonishment. The potential abuses, and just plain ignorance (and neglect), inherent in this shoddy "Care" are mind-boggling. Fancy trying that system here Queensland Corrections? I don't think so . . . Schapelle could wander off this mortal coil any given second, with every fat cat Government minister deliberately looking the other way.
So here are some pointed questions to my local Federal Member, Brett Raguse, cc every media outlet in his constituency.
1. Brett, do you dispute that Schapelle Corby is suffering from a life-threatening psychotic depression?
2. Do you dispute my description above, as regards how an inmate in the Australian prison system would be treated, if they had a similar life-threatening illness?
3. Do you dispute the level of risk to Schapelle Corby's life that I have described above?
4. Why is Schapelle Corby not being monitored (round the clock), by appropriately qualified medical and nursing staff?
5. When will Schapelle Corby be monitored (round the clock), by appropriately qualified medical and nursing staff?
Have absolutely no doubt Brett, due to the extreme urgency of this situation, I will be contacting your office daily (and updating this blog accordingly), until a few ALP politicians put as much effort into getting Schapelle Corby appropriate treatment and care, as they did into successfully getting former ALP politician (and child sex offender), Bill D'Arcy paroled.
I have added Schapelle to this site as the results will directly her well being. As the administrator of www.freeschapelle.com.au it is my duty to help bring Schapelle's situation to everyone's attention.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog Kim and thanks for the expert commentary as a registered nurse of over 30 years experience. And as you have pointed out and highlighted here, Schapelle's situation is dire and she must be treated immediately by expert and qualified people in a controlled and monitored manner, not having her medication doled out by another prisoner for gods sake, which in my mind, is an absolutely appalling arrangement! It's a joke!! Talk about the inmates running the asylum!! Kevin Rudd and his government can have Schapelle released on health / humanitarian grounds, if they really wanted to, but every time the issue is raised, he hides behind the "Prisoner Transfer Agreement" stuff [PTA]. There is NO PTA between Australia and Indonesia and even if they did commence negotiations on the subject, it could be years away! Also, it's been said previously by the Indonesian side, even if a PTA was agreed to, that they would require the prisoner to serve at least two thirds of their sentence in Indonesia before qualifying for transfer! A lot of good that would be for Schapelle..another 8 -10 years!! Kim, also, the government have the option of seeking Schapelle's release on "time served equivalence" IE; That she has served a sentence equivalent to what she would have served had the crime been committed in Australia! So there is no excuse for the government not to seek Schapelle's return to Australia..the options are there! I have been a supporter and campaigner for Schapelle for over five years and the reason that I have is simply because she was never proven guilty of the crime...she was "Pronounced Guilty" by a court that refused to allow her access to the evidence to prove her innocence.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work, Kim and let's hope for a speedy end to this disgraceful and shameful fiasco. Thanks from Don. Tasmania.
Kim, have you actually examined Ms Corby yourself?
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day she was convicted of a crime in Indonesia- the Federal Government cannot just yank her out of a Bali jail. There does need to be an agreement for her to come back to Australia and yes she would need to serve her term- she was convicted of a crime. Even if there was an option for time equivlence there would still need to be an agreement with Indoensia.
And if you can write on a blog that ALP politicians got Bill D'arcy out on parole you should provide the evidence - hard evidence.
People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
ag When an eminent psychiatrist examines someone and finds that the person is suffering and requires immediate medical and mental attention, then forwards his findings to the government.
ReplyDeleteHasn't the government got a duty of care to help her or at least investigate his findings further or should they just ignore them and do nothing as they are doing?
Ag - you want the hard evidence about ALP politicians and Bill D'Arcy? Well then here it is, take up with The Courier Mail . . . not me:
ReplyDelete"This was D'Arcy's second attempt to obtain parole. He applied in July last year but was refused on the grounds that he was still too much of a risk.
In March this year he challenged that ruling and five Labor Party figures supported his bid.
Desley Scott, who worked in D'Arcy's electoral office before taking his old seat of Woodridge, wrote to the parole board: "I . . . write to Bill keeping him informed about friends who wish to be remembered . . ."
Others who remained loyal to D'Arcy included former state and federal members Don Livingstone, Ken Vaughan, Bill Prest and the late Len Keogh."
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22928134-952,00.html
Further, while I have not examined Schapelle personally, I have spoken to people who have seen her in the last couple of weeks, and asked them some key questions. I have also watched the psychiatrist's interview on Channel 7. I am a Registered Nurse, Mental Health Endorsed, who has worked in this speciality for over 30 years. I am not talking out of my backside, neither did I come down with the last shower. What are your qualifications in this area, Ag?
Further still Ag, if Schapelle Corby is a "Guilty" as you believe, then Brett Raguse should have no problems at answering the further 9 questions I sent him, which go to the core of her guilt or otherwise. I look forward to receiving those answers.
PS Ag - I have absolutely NO problems identifying myself, fully, to the World. I'm out here battling in full view. So tell me Ag, who are YOU exactly, and do you work in any local ALP offices round here? Your threatening style ("Glass Houses"), sounds remarkably similar to a very unpleasant conversation I had with a worker in Brett Raguse's office just recently, who made similar nasty comments to me. Quite honestly Ag, it's about time you (and the ALP), joined the 21st century - and simply answered some very straight forward (and reasonable), questions, rather than smearing the people who make them. Don't want to come out into the light Ag? No, I guess not . . .
ReplyDelete