Gold Coast hospital investigated: security breach after drug bust

A major security breach has occurred at a Gold Coast hospital resulting in multiple patients being treated for drug overdoses, State Parliament has been told.

The incident took place at Robina Hospital last week.

A MAJOR security breach has occurred at Robina Hospital with patients treated for drug overdoses, State Parliament has been told.

Opposition health spokesperson Ros Bates during Question Time asked Health Minister Dr Steven Miles about the incident, which occurred last week.

Ms Bates asked Dr Miles to confirm that “multiple drug overdoses” had occurred at Robina Hospital and patients were taken to intensive care.

Police sniffer dogs were called in as part of a major investigation.

The Bulletin understands up to four patients may have required treatment, and the incident occurred in a mental health unit.

“I can confirm that there was an incident at Robina, that was investigated by police at the time,” Dr Miles said.

“They did identify an empty package that likely did contain a substance that some patients had consumed. All matters are being fully investigated by police and the health service, as is appropriate.”

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Opposition health spokesperson Ros Bates. Picture: AAP

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Dr Miles offered to provide Ms Bates with a full briefing on the incident once further information was gathered.

A Gold Coast Health spokesperson said four inpatients of the mental health specialist services (MHSS) became “medically unwell” between May 5-9 after consuming an unknown substance.

Early indications suggest it could have been amphetamines.

“One patient was admitted to the intensive care unit and has since been transferred back

into the care of the MHSS,” the spokesperson said.

“Investigations indicate these patients may have been offered the substance by one of the four consumers who became unwell.”

Robina Hospital

The mental health facilities were not regarded as “secure facilities” and inpatients returning after approved leave were only requested to hand in cigarettes, lighters and any other contraband to staff.

“However, mental health staff are not authorised to search a patient’s person unless there are clear grounds to believe the person has dangerous or harmful items in their possession,” the spokesperson said.

“Where there is reasonable suspicion, staff can undertake additional searches with appropriate authorisation. We have taken the situation very seriously, and worked closely with Queensland Police Service on the matter.

“Steps were taken to ensure patient safety, including a search of the ward by Queensland police with drug dogs. Early indications are that the substance may have been amphetamines.”

The Bulletin in a series of reports which began in late 2016 revealed a bag of the drug ice had been found on the ground near the Robina Hospital carpark, confirming staff fears that patients are doing deals.

Twelve months later mental health patients were reported to be taking day leave from the hospital to smoke ice in nearby road and train station links used by school students.

Outside the Parliament today, Ms Bates said: “Health Minister Steven Miles was clearly clueless in his vague response to Parliament this morning.

“That’s how seriously he takes a major security breach in a mental health ward. He is a fraud, a phony and a failure.

“It’s yet another example of our hospital system in crisis under Annastacia Palaszczuk. Gold Coast needs better mental health services, not police sniffer dogs and major police investigations.

“Any investigation into this serious mental health failure needs to be made public.”