Monash Health fined $160,000 after mental health patient's death
16 May 2024•BlueSafe Team•Source: WorkSafe VIC
Monash Health has been fined $160,000 following the death of a patient at Casey Hospital’s acute mental health unit. A hospital audit had previously identified a patient safety risk in the visitors’ toilet, but no action was taken.
The healthcare provider pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to ensure people other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks. The Melbourne County Court imposed the sentence without recording a conviction.
The court heard the patient was admitted involuntarily in May 2015 and was at high risk of suicide. She required visual welfare checks at 15-minute intervals.
During a welfare check in August 2015, nurses found the patient had attempted to take her own life in the visitors’ toilet. She received treatment in the hospital’s emergency department but died two days later.
WorkSafe’s investigation found that an earlier hospital audit had identified a risk to patient safety in the visitors’ toilet that had not been addressed. The court heard that reducing or eliminating the relevant risk of injury or death was reasonably practicable for Monash Health.
WorkSafe Executive Director Narelle Beer said the death could have been prevented. “Ways to control the risk of deaths by suicide in mental health units have been well understood in the healthcare industry for many years,” Dr Beer said.
“WorkSafe will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action when duty holders are not doing everything they can to protect those in their care, including from intentional self-harm.”
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