Tony Knott, 82, died while waiting for treatment at Middlemore Hospital’s emergency department, prompting his family to call for urgent reforms in New Zealand’s health system. Knott collapsed in a toilet cubicle after enduring long delays in care. His family believes his death was preventable and a result of a "broken system."
A Day Marked by Delays
Knott’s ordeal began on April 22, 2021, when he injured his leg and sought help at North Shore Hospital. Specialists determined he required surgery at Middlemore Hospital, and an ambulance was requested at 2:30 pm. However, it took four and a half hours for the ambulance to arrive.
Knott was eventually transferred to Middlemore around 8 pm, where the emergency department was in "code red," facing severe overcrowding. Despite his worsening condition, Knott’s vital signs were not checked, and he continued to wait with no immediate medical intervention.
His wife, Lynne Knott, who was with him throughout, described the scene as "chaotic" and expressed frustration at the lack of attention her husband received. “There was no sign of anyone acknowledging his existence,” she recalled.
A Preventable Tragedy
Later that evening, Knott told his wife he felt dizzy and collapsed while trying to use the bathroom. Lynne attempted to get help, but by the time hospital staff arrived, it was too late. Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
A coroner’s report finalized in February 2024 confirmed Knott died of hypertensive heart disease, but noted that multiple delays in his care were relevant to his death. Coroner Amelia Steel highlighted the significant wait for the ambulance and the lack of timely assessment at Middlemore Hospital.
Calls for Reform
Knott’s family is now speaking publicly, not to assign individual blame but to urge the government to address the systemic issues that contributed to his death. His daughter, Rachel Cassidy, a nurse with 30 years of experience, said, “Dad fell through the cracks in a broken system… His death was absolutely preventable.”
Cassidy expressed deep regret for not being at the hospital to advocate for her father and plans to file a formal complaint with the Health and Disability Commission.
Lynne Knott echoed her daughter’s sentiments, saying she had lost faith in New Zealand’s health system. “It needs a complete shake-up,” she said. Despite acknowledging the efforts of health staff, Lynne emphasized that the delays and overcrowding had devastating consequences for her family.
A Strain on the Health System
The case has raised broader concerns about New Zealand’s health system, particularly the ongoing overcrowding at Middlemore Hospital. Counties Manukau group director of operations, Dr. Vanessa Thornton, admitted overcrowding remains a persistent issue, with higher-than-expected demand overwhelming emergency services.
Thornton assured that patients are prioritized based on clinical risk but acknowledged the pressures on staff and resources. Measures such as discharging patients sooner and increasing staff availability are being implemented to alleviate some of the strain.
For the Knott family, these assurances offer little comfort. Lynne and her children continue to mourn the loss of a beloved husband and father, describing him as a warm and friendly man who "always had a rapport with everyone he met." They believe his death serves as a grim reminder that the health system is failing those in urgent need of care.
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