Opposition says a putrid disability case exposes the stench of a ‘scandal’

Almost 400 safety incidents were reported in 15 months at the same service where a shocking neglect case involving a disabled man in “putrid” conditions was discovered.

The government care facility at the centre of a distressing disability care failure had almost 400 reportable incidents logged in just 15 months, it has emerged.

It follows news yesterday that revealed paramedics on a triple 0 call last May had found a disabled man with an infected wound laying unwashed in his own faeces at the facility – which at the time was housed in the Hampstead Centre.

Documents sought under Freedom of Information by the Opposition show there were 394 incidents reported concerning safety issues and the welfare of patients at the same site between March 1, 2020 and June 15, 2021.

Many were listed as “insignificant” or “minor”, and more than half involved aggression by clients towards staff including physical assaults.

Other incidents included missed medication, sexual assault, self-harm, falls, stalking, stolen property, fights, absconding, attacks on visitors, property damage, smoking in rooms and alcohol hidden in water bottles.

It is understood almost half of the incidents related to just seven clients. Much of the documents are heavily redacted.

Examples of the redacted report and the St Margaret’s hospital building where the Transition to Home service now operates. Artwork: Steve Grice

The Opposition says this is proof of a worrying crisis at the centre, while the Human Services Department says it simply shows a strong culture of reporting.

The Transition to Home (T2H) facility where the incidents occurred provides short term accommodation for disabled hospital patients waiting placements after discharge.

Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner Associate Professor Grant Davies investigated the initial incident and made 13 recommendations which have all been accepted, and Premier Steven Marshall offered an “unreserved apology to this patient and his family”.

Department of Human Services chief executive Lois Boswell said the documents” clearly demonstrates DHS’s strong reporting culture” that required all staff to report all matters no matter how big or small.

“The complexity of client circumstances and behaviours at T2H will result in high numbers of non-medical issues being reported,” she said.

“Most incidents relate to behaviours of concern such as aggression and violence by clients towards staff.”

Human Services chief executive officer Lois Boswell.

“There are also some incidents involving medication and many of these include clients who refuse to take medication, which they can do.”

Ms Boswell stressed that “T2H is not a hospital setting, with clients provided more independent accommodation and living.”

But Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton said it was clear the neglect of Mr D at the site was not an isolated case.

“The neglect at this hospital site is now escalating into a major scandal,” he said.

“Yesterday we learnt of Mr D’s neglect and that paramedics were so concerned about his poor care, being covered in faeces and malnourished. Now we learn there are many more cases that have been reported at this site.

“When there’s now so many cases revealed of missed medications, drug and alcohol use, instances of self harm, and violence through the facility there needs to be a thorough investigation.

“These documents show clearly signs of a system in crisis and failures to provide appropriate care,” he said.

T2H was established in March 2020 for people with a NDIS plan who were not in hospital for any health reasons to be supported and free up acute hospital beds during the first wave of the pandemic. It does not provide nursing or medical care, relying on visiting clinicians.

There are now two T2H services, one at the ​Repat and the other at St Margaret’s ​Centre in Semaphore which replaced the Hampstead facility.