Coroner probes three suicides at Prince Charles Hospital amid chronic mental health unit overcrowding
A coronial inquest is examining three patient deaths at The Prince Charles Hospital, where the mental health ward has been described as constantly over capacity.
The inquest, led by Coroner Megan Fairweather, is focusing on three suicides at The Prince Charles Hospital's mental health unit that took place from May to December 2023. A psychiatrist for one of the victims testified that the unit, which has 60 beds across two wings, routinely exceeds its capacity, forcing up to a dozen patients onto the thoracic ward. Although the hospital has stopped using that ward for psychiatric care, the psychiatrist warned that bed shortages remain a major issue.
Details of Kendal Quicke's care revealed that observation levels were altered without the treating team’s knowledge before her death. The probe follows a 2024 health service review that found the two mental health wards unsafe and not aligned with contemporary guidelines. Fairweather emphasized that her role is to gather facts and will consider whether further reforms to Metro North Hospital and Health Service are required.
Why it matters
It highlights systemic gaps in mental health care that may affect patient safety across the region.
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