Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the tragic loss of life of 3-years-old Lucas Faram in a Queensland public hospital due to a malfunctioning ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt going undetected, because an MRI scan was not ordered for 9 hours after Lucas and his family first presented to the emergency department.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House that Lucas’s Law be implemented in Queensland hospitals. This would be a policy where all children with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts who present to emergency departments are immediately given an MRI scan. This would give young patients already suffering severe and debilitating medical conditions a more immediate diagnosis and therefore a better chance at a long and fulfilling life, as well as avoiding any unnecessary grief and heartache for families.