Premier to take action after shock claims made against spinal unit

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has addressed whistleblower allegations of poor treatment at the state’s only spinal injury unit, including that paralysed patients had been left to lie in their own faeces.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is very concerned about whistleblower allegations of poor treatment at the state’s only spinal injury unit, as she signalled her government would take action.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has also declared that she wants to make sure staff at the unit – located at the Princess Alexandra Hospital – have the right skills and expertise.

Their comments follow claims – exposed by The Courier-Mail over the weekend – of paralysed patients who had been left to lie in their own faeces and sit naked in front of other patients.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday. Picture: Liam Kidston

Asked about the allegations on Monday, Ms Palaszczuk said she was “very concerned” – saying the hospital and health service (HHS) was looking at the claims.

“They are very concerning and I expect them to be fully investigated by the HHS,” the Premier said.

“People spend a long time there. I understand that they’re not there for a short term. And they really do need a state of the art facility.”

When pressed further if there would be more of a response from the government, the Premier said: “Yes.”

The unit is located at the PA Hospital in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

It was also revealed on Monday that there had been delays in the rollout of TVs and iPads that had been donated to the unit following a fundraiser organised by former Wallabies coach John Connolly.

Ms D’Ath said she understood there had been technical issues with the installation of the TVs but the iPads had been deployed.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath on Monday. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I understand they’re working through those technical issues,” she said.

“I do want to acknowledge John Connolly and his amazing efforts.”

Ms D’Ath said she had spoken to her director-general about the spinal injuries unit, and had asked her department to give her a briefing on the status of the unit.

“It doesn’t matter where the patients reside, I expect that people will be given the proper care that they deserve in our public hospitals,” the Minister said.

“I want to make sure that the staff that are working in this unit have the skillset and the expertise to manage this unit properly.”