Report into suicide of Indigenous woman at Hedland Health Campus will not be made public

Findings from a report into the suicide of an Indigenous woman at Hedland Health Campus — who was left alone inside the facility despite being a known suicide risk — in June will not be made public to “respect the family’s privacy”. The North West Telegraph on July 7 revealed the woman — who was a known suicide risk — was taken to the Hedland Health Campus by family members before being placed into a side room at the facility and left alone, where she ended her own life. It is unclear exactly how long the woman was left by herself. But the tragic discovery was made when staff returned to the room. At the time, WA Country Health Pilbara regional director Margi Faulkner said a “full and thorough” investigation into the incident was underway. Responding to questions made by Liberal MLC Neil Thomson during parliamentary question time on Thursday, Labor MLC Samantha Rowe on behalf of Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson ruled out the report being released publicly. “The investigation has been completed,” she said. “The report will not be made public in accordance with the family’s wishes. “WA Country Health Service will implement all recommendations of the investigation.” Ms Rowe also confirmed Ms Sanderson would visit the Pilbara before the end of the year. In a chilling precursor to the tragedy, the woman had taken to social media to plead for more mental health services in the Pilbara. “We need more help and support. I have spent a few times in Hedland Hospital and meet quite a few people in there for mental health issues with self-harm,” the post started. “Seen so much pain and how they try to get more help, to be told six-month waiting period unless u have top hospital cover to go into a private clinic. “There is no help up here, you have to go to Perth and this takes people local away from family for months at a time. “I’m not ashamed to say, I have had my fair share of mental health issues. “But the Government needs to give more to our remote communities, especially in towns with high suicide, drug abuse like ours. “I hope our system can and is ready to help everyone that has been affected today.” A staffing crisis at the hospital came to a head in August 2021 when staff walked off the job in protest at severe staff shortages they say were jeopardising the health of some of the State’s most vulnerable patients. Nurses, service attendants, cleaners and kitchen staff left their posts to protest against excessive hours, fatigue and burnout as a result of what some described as “acute” understaffing at the South Hedland hospital. Figures tabled in Parliament that month revealed clinical incidents resulting in harm at the hospital had doubled each year since 2018, culminating in the death of a patient in the past year. Rural Link (After hours’ mental health telephone service): 1800 552 002 (Toll Free) or 1800 720 101 (TTY) Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 Lifeline: 13 11 14 Men’s Line Australia: 1300 789 978 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636