Gurrumul Manager Accuses Hospital of Racial Profiling

His manager, Mark T. Grose, said Gurrumul was taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital’s emergency department March 27 with internal bleeding relating to his liver disease. But the 47-year-old was allegedly not treated for eight hours despite vomiting blood. Grose was also angry that the teetotalling Gurrumul’s medical chart assumed his liver problems were due to alcoholism. He said the artist’s liver damage was the result of a childhood hepatitis B infection. Grose referred the issue to Northern Territory health authorities for investigation.

“I want the claims I’ve made tested,” he said. “If I’m wrong, I’m happy to admit that maybe I’ve made an error. “If there is a problem in the system I want to see those responsible for defending it apologise.” He was supported by Gurrumul surgeon Paul Lawton, who claimed racial profiling is rampant in Australian hospitals.

He told ABC radio, “This is a broader issue. We need to have that discussion about how we can improve care for Indigenous Australians so they receive the same level of care as non-Indigenous Australians.”

While hospital executives denied the racial profiling accusation, the Northern Territory health minister John Elferink claimed it was all “just a publicity gimmick.” It was a comment that Grose says he is discussing with his lawyers. Gurrumul is currently recovering at his home.