AN abusive mental-health patient allegedly used a hidden cigarette lighter to start a fire that threatened the lives of staff and patients at Robina Hospital last month.
A Gold Coast Bulletin investigation has uncovered serious concerns among staff about how the fire started, fears of a “cover-up of mistakes” and the hospital’s poor public response.
In a three-sentence response to the January 15 incident, Gold Coast Health said staff and patients were safely evacuated after “a small fire”.
However, the Gold Coast Bulletin has learned the fire sparked a Code Red (emergency fire), Code Blue (medical emergency) and Code Black (person threatening to harm self or others).
A nurse and a security officer put out the fire. The nurse collapsed and was taken to triage, along with three security staff, and is on sick leave.
Queensland Health sources say before the fire the patient lunged at the nurse in the acute assessment unit.
“A security team of three prevented an assault … by restraining the patient and taking him to seclusion.”
The man then set the seclusion room mattress alight.
“Witnesses say a door was swiped open by a member of staff to let the secluded patient out,” a QH source said.
Had it not been, the patient would have come close to dying and “this would arguably have become a crime scene”.
Fireys had an 11.39am call-out and a follow-up 000 call but QH sources believe external contractors had deactivated the fire boards and some alarms may have been down.
The Gold Coast Bulletin asked Gold Coast Health extensive questions this week, only to be sent a brief statement.
“We retain detailed information about operational matters but the community can be assured we have conducted an extensive review of the incident and will make any necessary changes to minimise the risk of such events,” executive director operations Jane Hancock said.
“The review also praised the professionalism of our staff’s response and the care and support they showed for each other and our patients.”
Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates, a registered nurse, said staff and fire experts had contacted her privately: “These are very serious matters which warrant a thorough investigation.”