Gold Coast Health to create specialised dementia unit after investigation into cases including Kevin Farr death

Changes will be brought in at hospitals on the Gold Coast after an investigation into two cases – including the death of a former police officer attacked by a dementia patient – made a series of key recommendations.

An investigation following the death of a former police officer who was attacked in a Robina Hospital ward has recommended the creation of a specialised unit for dementia patients.

Kevin Farr, 68, was in his room at Robina Hospital when a patient with dementia assaulted him on October 8, 2023.

Mr Farr, who had an underlying health condition, was punched and fell to the ground. He suffered a brain bleed and died the next day.

Following the incident Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service chief executive Ron Calvert ordered an independent investigation into the care of patients with dementia.

In addition to the death of Mr Farr, the report also considered the case of another patient in his seventies with dementia who exhibited “violent behaviours”.

Former police officer Kevin Farr. Picture: 9News.

On Tuesday Gold Coast Health released the recommendations of the investigation and announced the creation of a new taskforce to oversee their implementation.

The key recommendations of the report include:

* Creating a new specialised unit for dementia patients at Gold Coast University or Robina Hospitals.

* Increasing education and training for staff in responding to occupational violence risks from dementia patients.

* Review procedures regarding security officers.

Currently the Gold Coast does not have a specialised dementia unit, with patients cared for on a ward at Robina Hospital alongside patients with other complex needs.

In relation to the recommendation regarding security officers, a Gold Coast Health spokesperson told the Gold Coast Bulletin steps had already been taken, with an extra $4.5 million being allocated this financial year (a 50 per cent uplift in the security budget) to increase security support.

Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied

In a statement, Gold Coast Health said it was committed to implementing the recommendations, which the report estimated would take six to twelve months to achieve.

The service said that in recent years it had “increasingly seen higher acuity geriatric patients” who required specialised and complex care.

“Following two clinical incidents in the previous 12 months, an independent Part 9 health service investigation was commissioned to enhance existing models of care for vulnerable

patients experiencing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD),” the statement said.

“Gold Coast Health recognises that dementia is a complex condition, and we express our sympathies to patients involved in these matters.”

Gold Coast Health Chief Executive Ron Calvert

Mr Calvert said the Gold Coast’s population was growing and ageing, adding to the need for the changes to be implemented.

“High quality and safe healthcare for all patients in our hospitals is priority and key learnings are implemented to continue improving our health service,” Mr Calvert said.

“A taskforce involving academics, consultant physicians, senior nursing staff and other frontline staff has been commissioned. Three subgroups of the taskforce will progress the recommendations.

“We recognise our growing population is ageing and contemporary models that focus on dignity-informed care are important to improve patient outcomes.”

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