Ben Fordham has opened up about the death of his dad during a segment discussing recent lonely pandemic deaths in aged care.
Over the past week, much of Ben Fordham Live on Sydney’s 2GB has been dedicated to calls from Australians who weren’t allowed to be with their parents when they died due to Covid restrictions.
Following a heated argument with NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Ben broke down at the thought of his late dad dying alone.
“I’m thankful that he will take up the case of Callie who wants to see her dad Brian, but the message there is you’ve got to ring 2GB to get action,” Ben said, lamenting the countless calls, emails and messages his show has received from distraught people with parents in aged care.
“Why should she have to ring on our radio station for the minister to then get involved when he’s supposed to be in the middle of managing this thing on behalf of the state and millions of people who’ve been in trouble and he’s got to get down to the nitty gritty of sorting the case of Brian and Dorothy and Callie,” he continued.
“Shouldn’t this be the standard response, and I think back to when my dad passed away,” he said. “My brother was there with him.
“And we can’t imagine what it would be like if that didn’t happen,” he continued, fighting back tears.
“And I do feel for all of these families who are going through it at the moment because it is the worst to be put in that situation.”
Ben then thanked everyone who reached out for help, emphasising that it was a sign that something was wrong.
“Thanks to everyone who has reached out, all those cases and look, we will continue to raise it but I’m telling you, this is not the way to do business,” he said.
“I mean it’s fantastic that people ring 2GB and we’re able to help, but shouldn’t this happen anyway?
“Two years in [to the pandemic] and if we can’t get it right after two years, we’re stuffed,” he said.
“People dying alone. Absolutely disgraceful.”
Ben’s father John Fordham passed away on November 10, 2019, after battling throat cancer for three years.
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At the time, Ben shared the news on his Instagram account and said it was the “most peaceful goodbye”.
“We were all there with him and feel blessed. What a bloke.”
Ben’s focus on families barred from being with dying loved ones in aged care comes as the industry faces growing cases of COVID-19 in facilities across the country and increased pressure from understaffing and concerns surrounding pay and the level of care residents are receiving.
Image: @benfordham9 (Instagram)
