❓ Ms McHale questions the Minister for Health regarding the death of a toddler at Joondalup Health Campus due to a drug overdose, focusing on the lack of transparency and investigation. The Minister expresses sympathy, cites the coroner's role, and mentions a review of protocols.
AnsweredQoN 87Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the death of an 18-month-old toddler at Joondalup Health Campus in July as a result of the child receiving the wrong dosage of a drug. (1) Why has the minister refused to release the internal review conducted by the hospital into this death? (2) Why did the minister not insist on an external investigation? (3) Is the minister aware that the parents of the child have been told that a coronial inquiry, if held at all, may not be held for 18 months? (4) In light of this and the parents’ desperate need for answers, will the minister now immediately release the results of the internal review? Mr DAY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
(1) Why has the minister refused to release the internal review conducted by the hospital into this death? (2) Why did the minister not insist on an external investigation? (3) Is the minister aware that the parents of the child have been told that a coronial inquiry, if held at all, may not be held for 18 months? (4) In light of this and the parents’ desperate need for answers, will the minister now immediately release the results of the internal review? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
(2) Why did the minister not insist on an external investigation? (3) Is the minister aware that the parents of the child have been told that a coronial inquiry, if held at all, may not be held for 18 months? (4) In light of this and the parents’ desperate need for answers, will the minister now immediately release the results of the internal review? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
(3) Is the minister aware that the parents of the child have been told that a coronial inquiry, if held at all, may not be held for 18 months? (4) In light of this and the parents’ desperate need for answers, will the minister now immediately release the results of the internal review? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
(4) In light of this and the parents’ desperate need for answers, will the minister now immediately release the results of the internal review? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
(1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
(1) Why has the minister refused to release the internal review conducted by the hospital into this death? (2) Why did the minister not insist on an external investigation? (3) Is the minister aware that the parents of the child have been told that a coronial inquiry, if held at all, may not be held for 18 months? (4) In light of this and the parents’ desperate need for answers, will the minister now immediately release the results of the internal review? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
(2) Why did the minister not insist on an external investigation? (3) Is the minister aware that the parents of the child have been told that a coronial inquiry, if held at all, may not be held for 18 months? (4) In light of this and the parents’ desperate need for answers, will the minister now immediately release the results of the internal review? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
(3) Is the minister aware that the parents of the child have been told that a coronial inquiry, if held at all, may not be held for 18 months? (4) In light of this and the parents’ desperate need for answers, will the minister now immediately release the results of the internal review? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
(4) In light of this and the parents’ desperate need for answers, will the minister now immediately release the results of the internal review? Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
Mr DAY replied: (1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
(1)-(4) The outcome of this case is tragic and devastating for the parents. I sympathise with them and their situation. So far as I am aware, there has not been a full review by the Health Department. Some information has been requested by the chief medical officer. Given that a death is involved, it is the role of the coroner’s office to inquire into the situation. If I were to establish a separate investigation, it would potentially cut across the work of the coroner’s office, which is sub judice. I am keen for all the information in this case to be made public as soon as possible. I cannot do anything to hasten the coroner’s work. It is important that the process be conducted fully and thoroughly. The time required for the coroner to conduct investigations and hearings is something for the coroner to explain to the public. The chief medical officer is reviewing the protocols for all emergency departments within hospitals in Western Australia, particularly in relation to paediatric care. I am assured by the chief medical officer that any problems with protocols at the Joondalup Health Campus that may have existed have now been corrected.
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