Review into suicide death of woman in RAH’s emergency department unfinished

SA Health promised an urgent investigation into the death of a woman left alone in the busy RAH emergency department – but a month later, it’s not finished.

More than a month after a young woman patient took her own life after being left alone in the Royal Adelaide Hospital emergency department, a promised internal inquiry is still “weeks away” from being finalised.

The Advertiser revealed the tragic death of the young woman who was being treated for an overdose.

It is understood the young woman was left alone in a cubicle out of direct line of sight of staff after being brought to the ED on October 31.

It is believed the ED was operating well above capacity at the time with a full waiting room, ambulances ramped and staff under immense pressure.

When a staff member later checked, the woman was found dead. It is understood the cause was not linked to the overdose.

Health Minister Chris Picton pledged there would be full review of the incident by the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, which runs the RAH, in addition to the matter being referred to the Coroner.

The woman died by suicide in the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s emergency department. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

“I would make it clear that the Central Adelaide Local Health Network and the Royal Adelaide Hospital are taking it very seriously and are going through the appropriate clinical reviews in terms of that case,” he said at the time.

A statement from CALHN in response to queries from The Advertiser on Tuesday says: “A review into this incident has been conducted and will be finalised in the coming weeks with the findings shared with the patient’s family.

“The review panel included members internal and external to CALHN. The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.”

It is understood CALHN has passed on the Minister’s offer to provide his direct contact details to the family if they wish to talk to him.

Mr Picton on Tuesday told The Advertiser: “This is a tragedy and the health service is rightly reviewing what occurred including external experts.

“This is in addition to a referral to the Coroner. I have asked that CALHN keeps the family regularly updated.”

Mr Picton has also revealed suicide attempts in hospitals are on the rise but fortunately prompt action by staff had prevented a spike in deaths.

CALHN has offered support to the family and also to staff after the tragedy.

The RAH has been under ongoing intense pressure since the September 2017 opening of the $2.4bn flagship hospital despite it being hailed as the hospital to cope with growth for the next century.

Chronic ramping has soared to record levels with other overloaded hospitals diverting ambulances to the RAH, and patients are regularly stuck in the ED for more extended periods after being treated waiting for a suitable ward bed.

Hospital management is seeking to ease pressure by ordering consultants to fast-track their rounds in order to discharge patients faster, in turn freeing up ward beds, clearing the ED and cutting ramping.

However clinicians say the order to finish rounds by 10.30am instead of well into the afternoon will put patients at risk by cutting the time spent to ensure they are ready for discharge.

CALHN chief executive Lesley Dwyer says finishing rounds by 10.30am will free up the equivalent of an extra ward.