Cruise ship brain bleed strands WA dad in Darwin hospital
A WA family is living through a nightmare after a loving husband and father was left stranded in a hospital in Darwin.
Peter and Amanda Jackson were on a cruise from Sydney to Fremantle to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary when their fun-filled holiday turned to horror.
While re-embarking on the Crown Princess on Anzac Day in Darwin, Mr Jackson fell backwards and hit his head.
The 63-year-old suffered a brain bleed and was taken to the ship's medical bay before being transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital.
He had two operations and was unconscious for two days.
'He was unconscious for two days and we were told he was in trouble and to prepare ourselves,' Mr Jackson's daughter Chloe Moloney told news.com.au this week.
'We were told Dad was too unwell to be transported and he needed to be stable for an airlift. Once he was stable, an airlift was to be done.
'Dad came around and improved and was moved to a ward.' Peter Jackson in hospital in Darwin. Credit: Supplied
But just when it looked like some relief was on the way with a transfer back to WA, it was cancelled.
'We couldn't understand why,' Ms Moloney said. 'Dad needs to be admitted to a neuro-rehab facility once a bed becomes available back home.
'Dad's speech has been impacted quite severely, he is quite hard to understand now. He also has issues with his right arm and his high-level balance.
'Flying home commercially is not an option for us, with his condition.'
Ms Moloney fears her father has fallen through the cracks in the national and State health systems.
'On Wednesday last week, we were told that neither the WA or NT governments wanted to pay for Dad to get home, even though he needed to be admitted to a neuro-rehab facility,' she said.
'They said we needed to pay to get him on a commercial flight.
'From the research I have done I'm sure this falls under the national health form agreement, where the national government pays or they split the cost.' Chloe Moloney with her parents Peter and Amanda Jackson on her wedding day. Credit: Supplied
Ms Moloney said her parents had premium ambulance cover but were struggling to access it.
She said the Royal Flying Doctor Service had quoted the family $80,000 to get her dad home, while another quote to have a nurse sit with her father on a commercial flight had come in at $15,000.
'Where is she (Mum) supposed to get all this money from when she has already spent thousands on accommodation so far to stay with Dad?' Ms Moloney said.
'It's been a nightmare. We just want to get him home safely and get the ongoing care he needs.
'My dad is the most beautiful man. When he was of sound mind he would go out of his way to help anyone.
'Well now he needs help and we just can't get it.'
The WA Government has been contacted for comment.
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