A report of the Independent Inquiry into Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH), along with a response from the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) Board, has been released by WA Health.
Director General of WA Health, David Russell-Weisz (pictured) said the Department and the CAHS had accepted the Report’s 30 recommendations.
Dr Russell-Weisz noted the Report covered key areas such as sepsis identification, parent escalation, consumer engagement (particularly culturally and linguistically diverse families), clinical governance, workforce planning and supply and organisational culture.
The Inquiry, which followed the death of Aishwarya Aswath on 3 April, was undertaken by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and led by former inaugural NSW Chief Paediatrician and former President of Children’s Hospitals Australasia, Les White.
Dr Russell-Weisz said the Inquiry outlined the care which was provided to Aishwarya and the experiences of her family, and more broadly examined the care provided by the hospital.
“I would like to personally thank Aishwarya’s family for working closely with the Inquiry team to give their heartfelt insights and feedback, and for working with the Department of Health to ensure improvements to our hospital system are made,” he said.
“The Inquiry identified key challenges faced by PCH staff in the lead up to, and during this tragic event, but also importantly confirmed the commitment and dedication of PCH staff as they care for sick and injured children in Western Australia.”
The Director General said the CAHS would lead the implementation of the recommendations related to PCH workforce planning, patient flow, education and learning pathways, organisational and committee structures and culture.
“All recommendations that are applicable to the whole health system have been accepted by the Department and will be implemented across the system,” Dr Russell-Weisz said.
The 80-page Report and the response from the CAHS Board can be accessed at this PS News link.
