An independent mental health advocate has asked the Western Australian Government to consider banning involuntary patients from Kalgoorie Hospital’s mental health ward in a report that labelled it the worst in the state.
The report by the Mental Health Advocacy Service (MHAS) followed two incidents last year, one where a young person escaped the mental health ward and died by suicide.
The report outlines multiple failings at the hospital, including staffing shortages, infrastructure deemed 'not fit for purpose', delays in patient transfers, and repeated use of chemical restraint during such delays.
Acting Health Minister Dave Kelly said the WA Country Health Service (WACHS), which was responsible for Kalgoorlie Hospital, had already taken "a number of steps" in response to the report.