New revelations that a woman that was known suicide risk died by suicide after being left alone at Hedland Health Campus last month underlines the need for complete transparency from the McGowan Government regarding this tragedy.
“Our hearts go out to the woman’s family and the health workers at Hedland Health Campus who are all impacted by this tragedy,” said Shadow Spokesperson for Health Libby Mettam.
“The WA Country Health Service and the McGowan Government must be completely transparent regarding the investigation into this tragic case, which includes details of the staffing levels which our health workers were operating under.
“Transparency regarding this incident and the Governments response it essential to ensuring the family and public gain some confidence that no other family would have to go through this again.
“In addition to the family it is essential health workers get all the support they need regarding this incident, given the nature of this incident, their commitment to their patients as well as the extraordinary pressure they are clearly working under.
“It’s disappointing that the McGowan Government have failed to provide the basic answers regarding the staffing levels at this Health Campus at the time of this event, but the Government now must do so as a matter of urgency.
“We know health workers have experienced severe rostering shortages, excessive hours,
fatigue, and burnout at this Health Campus.
“Staff morale has also been a major concern at Hedland Health Campus, with workers walking off the job last August, at that time they were saying severe staff shortages were jeopardising the health of some of our most vulnerable patients.
“These staffing issues are a major concern at hospitals across the state, in regional WA and
the McGowan Government must address these dangerous levels of staffing as a matter of
urgency.”
