Shock claims of drug deals and meth smoking at Princess Alexandra hospital

Police have been called to one of the state’s biggest hospitals, amid shocking claims patients are openly face-timing drug dealers from hospital beds.

Nicole and Rob Blachut with mum Rosemary Blachut, PA Spinal Ward whistleblower, outside hospital at the main entrance, PA Hospital, Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba. Photo Steve Pohlner

Police have been called to one of the state’s biggest hospitals, amid shocking claims patients are openly face-timing drug dealers from hospital beds and “dodgy suppliers” are plundering wards looking for unlocked medicine cabinets.

A whistleblower claims vulnerable patients inside the Princess Alexandra Hospital’s spinal injury unit in Brisbane are witness to daily drug deals and have to put up with the lingering smell of meth smoke in the facility

The accusations come just months after a major investigation into allegations of patient neglect and degradation at the same unit.

“I spend a lot of time at the SIU with my mother and I see these characters, sometimes high themselves, coming and going. Patients are frightened. They are vulnerable and paralysed and not in a position to protect themselves if someone comes into their room looking to steal opioids,” Nicole Blachut, whose mother is in the SIU, told The Courier-Mail.

Ms Blachut said that there is a frequent smell of meth being smoked on balconies and even in rooms.

The entrance to the Spinal Injuries Unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Photo: Supplied.

A memorandum from Princess Alexandra Hospital. Source: Supplied.

Last Thursday the director of the SIU sent an email to patients and visitors warning that individuals have been entering rooms without consent.

“We kindly ask you to avoid visiting other patients rooms and bedside areas without their explicit permission Dr Sridhar Atresh wrote.

Ms Blachut claims she reported the drug dealing to executives at a meeting in July and again a couple of weeks ago.

“My mother is 72 and she is frightened. My family have had to adjust their working hours so there is always someone with her. I have brought the drug dealing up at meetings with executives but it still goes on,” Ms Blachut said.

Police were in attendance at the unit this week.

The unit is not a locked unit making it difficult for staff to control all interactions with visitors.

“Drugs, alcohol or other illegal substances are not allowed on the hospital premises. Any claim of drug use or use of illegal substances is reported by staff to the Queensland Police Service and actions taken to deter this activity,” Jeremy Wellwood, Executive Director Princess Alexandra Hospital, said.

“There is an ongoing security presence within the unit and the PA Hospital Police Beat is located next door to the Spinal Injuries Unit,” Dr Wellwood said.

“Patients who are experiencing drug or alcohol dependence have access to psychological supports during their treatment.” he said.

A patient, who did not want to be named, told The Courier-Mail that she slept in a lounge room area with two chairs pulled together rather than in her room.

“A male patient was placed in the bed right beside me. It was not his fault in any way but he was a stranger to me and I didn’t feel comfortable. I think patients deserve to feel safe,” she said.

The unit has four patients to each room.

In April last year The Courier-Mail brought to light serious allegations of degrading care at the unit with paralysed patients being left to lie in their own faeces, sit naked in front of other patients and been subjected to aggressive bowel treatments.

The allegations were backed by 2021 Queenslander of the Year Dinesh Palipana, who is a past patient of the SIU.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman immediately called for an investigation and promised $20 million to upgrade the dilapidated Princess Alexandra Hospital block.

“Immediate upgrades to the existing building will lead to safer and more dignified care, as well as vastly improved patient safety,” Ms Fentiman said at the time.

Rob and Nicole Blachut with mum Rosemary Blachut, PA Spinal Ward whistleblower, outside hospital at the main entrance, PA Hospital, Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba – Photo Steve Pohlner

Queensland Health is in the final stages of securing the building contractor to undertake the refurbishment. Under the Spinal Enhancement Project there has been the recruitment of an additional 42 full time equivalent staff.

But Ms Blachut claims nothing has changed at the SIU since the investigation but the hospital strongly denies these claims.

“I don’t understand why PA is getting a multimillion dollar new build when they can’t fix the lack of care in the current one — it won’t fix staffing, it won’t fix the culture ,” she said.

Dr Palipana said that he was upset to hear of anyone with spinal cord injuries going through difficult times.

“I am no longer a patient of the spinal injury unit, after being discharged from ongoing outpatient care. But, I empathise and feel for the patients and families that continue to experience this journey,” he said.

Originally published as Shock claims of drug deals and meth smoking at Princess Alexandra hospital