Miles slams health minister over PA patient death

Health Minister Tim Nicholls has been blasted for remaining silent over the possibly violent death of a Queensland hospital patient, but he says he had good reason.

The death happened at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls has been slammed for staying silent on the death of a man following a possible attack by another patient at a Queensland hospital psychiatric ward.

However Mr Nicholls said he could not comment due to an active police investigation and patient confidentiality.

It is believed the 39-year-old victim – who died on May 4, two days after the incident at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital – was a prisoner.

Police were told of the death at 11.20pm on May 4.

Queensland Corrective Services is investigating to ascertain if the sudden death was due to the attack by another patient.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles told The Courier-Mail: “Tim Nicholls has bunkered down in Rockhampton to avoid questions over a patient’s death at the Princess Alexandra Hospital’s psychiatric ward.

“It’s simply not good enough that Queenslanders only found out about this incident after whistleblowers came forward to the media.

“Tim Nicholls must front the media at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and explain why he kept details of the incident from Queenslanders.”

But Mr Nicholls said that until the incident was fully investigated, and due to patient confidentiality, he could not release any details.

Premier David Crisafulli said he had discussed the incident with Mr Nicholls and said the public would be informed when the investigation was complete.

The Inpatient Mental Health Unit at the PA Hospital offers specialist treatment for people with severe or complex mental health issues, treating depression, schizophrenia schizoaffective disorder bipolar disorder personality disorder trauma.

Mr Crisafulli said the full investigation would determine whether there was a link between the attack prior to the man’s death.

“If there is a link then there has to be some questions around those processes,” he said on Tuesday.

“And it is fit and proper that there’s a probity and it’s also fit and proper that if there’s a link that has to be communicated and then the systems of improvement then also have to be communicated as well.”

A Metro South Health spokesperson said this week they extended their deepest sympathies to the patient’s family, friends and loved ones, but refused to comment further.

Originally published as Miles slams health minister over PA patient death