Introduction
Ryan’s Rule applies to all patients admitted to any Queensland Health public hospital—including the emergency department—and in some Hospital in the Home (HITH) services. Its development was led by Patient Safety and Quality (PSQ) in consultation with hospital and health services (HHSs) and implemented in Queensland Health facilities between 2013 and 2015.
Ryan’s Rule consists of a series of steps that a patient, their family member or carer can take to raise their concerns when the patient in hospital is getting worse or not doing as well as expected. These steps facilitate a clinical review of the patient. The patient, family member or carer can continue to escalate through the series of steps if they are not satisfied with the outcome after each step.
Once Ryan’s Rule is enacted, a nurse or doctor will undertake a clinical review of the patient and the treatment they are receiving.
Ryan’s Rule should only be used for concerns related to the patient’s condition getting worse or not improving as expected. It is only used while the patient is in hospital or receiving care via a Hospital in the Home service.
Ryan’s Rule is not for general complaints. Hospital staff can help a patient lodge a complaint or find out more at complaints and compliments about health services.
View the Fact Sheet about Ryan’s Rule
Current Community Consultation Activity
Health Consumers Queensland is currently partnering with Queensland Health to consult with Queensland’s First Nations communities, ensuring cultural and geographic diversity, to consider whether Ryan’s Rule needs to be adapted to ensure it is culturally appropriate for First Nations people and then promoted and/or adapted accordingly.
Link2Nation Indigenous Community Liaisons has been engaged to partner with Health Consumers Queensland and Queensland Health, to implement this statewide initiative.
Indigenous-led Community Health Care Discussion sessions
These sessions are exclusively for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Participants. Light Refreshments will be provided at each session.
Waiben Community Participants
Location: Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab Office (MGNM), 26 Victoria Parade, Thursday Island, Qld 4875
- 19 March 2025 2pm-4pm
- 20 March 2025 9am-11am and 1pm-2pm
- 21 March 2025 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm
For more information about these sessions please contact Melisa Anderson at Link2Nation Indigenous Community Liaisons by email at Melisa@link2nation.com.au or call 0475 375 785
Logan Community Participants
Location: Logan District Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Elders, 9-11 Jacaranda Ave, Logan Central, Qld 4114
- 24 March 2025 10am-12pm
Location: Harris Fields State School, 10-38 Smith Road, Woodridge, QLD 4114
- 15 May 9am-11am
For more information about these sessions please contact Korindah Randall at Link2Nation Indigenous Community Liaisons by email at Korindah@link2nation.com.au or call 0435 151 300.
Complete a survey about Ryan’s Rule
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are not able to attend any of these sessions can still make your voice heard by completing this survey.
Contact
For further information or any questions about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Care Discussion sessions, please contact:
Korindah Randall Email: Korindah@link2nation.com.au Phone: 0435 151 300