21/07/2025
We wanted to share an update.
It’s been a few weeks now since what happened to Bodhi in the Emergency Department at Taranaki Base Hospital and while we haven’t officially lodged a formal complaint just yet, please know this: we haven’t given up.
We’re still asking questions, still pushing for answers, and still calling for change.
We’ve been waiting on key information from the hospital including their own internal policies and documentation and they’ve been carrying out their own review. Starship has also been involved, helping to support and guide from their side too. But it’s important to us that you know: we’re still here, still holding on for real change.
This isn’t about blame. We know ED is an incredibly high-pressure space. And we’ve had great experiences there before in fact, earlier that same day, a wonderful nurse gave us clear, supportive instructions about what to do if Bodhi became unwell. But that night, it all fell apart.
What happened wasn’t just one or two things going wrong, it was a complete breakdown in care.
Bodhi was left waiting far too long despite our call ahead to prepare. "No trained staff were available to access his port-a-cath". He wasn’t given timely pain relief. He was nearly administered the wrong medication. They inserted a cannula into his artery. His oncology protocol was ignored — despite us raising it repeatedly. There was no trauma-informed approach. There was barely communication. And, heartbreakingly, there was no compassion.
This wasn’t just a system under pressure this was internal failure.
We also understand some people felt upset at our last post, believing we were criticising healthcare workers or not understanding how stretched the system is. That’s never been our intention. We are endlessly grateful to the good staff doing their best. But what happened to Bodhi wasn’t due to staffing levels or funding alone because many of the solutions needed are not expensive.
We’re talking about basic, human-centred changes:
• More staff trained in port-a-cath access
• A clear, accessible care plan for oncology and complex care patients
• Listening to families who know their children best
• Adhering to protocols already in place
• Treating kids like Bodhi with patience, empathy, and dignity
That night caused deep trauma for Bodhi emotionally and medically. He’s now even more fearful of returning to hospital. He’s four years old, fighting leukemia, living with autism and anxiety. He didn’t deserve that kind of treatment. No child does.
We’re still here, still speaking up, not just for Bodhi, but for his sister who also has complex medical needs, and for other families across Taranaki who deserve better.
This isn’t a reflection of every department or every staff member, we know there are some truly amazing people in that hospital. But this experience highlighted gaps that can’t be ignored.
We aren’t here to attack anyone , we’re here to push for real change. Change that could stop this from happening again.
We’ve begun looking into connecting with our local MP, and we’re still open to speaking with the media to highlight these serious issues. This isn’t about blame it’s about making sure these problems are seen and addressed accordingly.
What we’re asking for isn’t unrealistic most of these changes aren’t costly, they’re basic steps that should already be happening.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us.
Lots of love — The Neil family🫶🏻
