Northern Health charged after patient death at Northern Hospital in Epping

A major Victorian healthcare provider has been charged over the death of a patient at one of its hospitals.

Northern Health have been charged following the death of a patient at Northern Hospital in Epping back in 2023. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

A major Melbourne healthcare provider has been charged after a patient took their own life while at a major hospital.

The patient was involuntarily admitted to Northern Hospital in Epping for mental health treatment in July 2023 before they took their own life.

Northern Health was charged by WorkSafe and will face court on February 4, 2025.

The company will face three charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to ensure that persons other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.

Northern Health operates hospitals out of Broadmeadows, Epping and Kilmore, as well as medical centres at Bundoora and Craigieburn.

It cares for more than 97,000 patients admitted to hospital each year.

A Northern Health spokesperson said “whilst we are unable to comment on matters currently before the court, we respect the court process and are working closely with authorities on this matter, as well as supporting our staff who were directly impacted by this case.

“Our thoughts are also with the family of the patient and the community members that were affected.”