Legal Actions Across Australia Over Mental Health Discharge Deaths

Multiple families allege their relatives died by suicide after being discharged from or denied admission to hospital mental health units. Cases span different states, with families citing failures in communication, risk assessment, and discharge planning.

Legal Actions in Victoria

Approximately 40 families in Victoria are initiating legal proceedings against hospitals, alleging that their relatives died by suicide after being prematurely discharged or denied critical care. Most of these deaths are reported to have occurred between 2021 and the present.

Specific Cases

Richard Ang: In May 2023, Richard Ang, 61, was discharged from Maroondah Hospital's mental health unit. Clinical notes indicate he was assessed as being at high risk of suicide, including having a specific plan. He was discharged four hours after a psychiatrist revoked his treatment order. Mr. Ang died by suicide less than 48 hours later. His son, Martin Ang, is seeking compensation from Eastern Health.

Jason Daddy: In 2022, Therese Daddy sought help for her husband, Jason, from Werribee Mercy Hospital's mental health triage on multiple occasions. He was reportedly turned away from the emergency department after seeking admission. Mr. Daddy died by suicide at home 19 days later.

"These are not isolated incidents but a pattern of individuals being turned away or discharged too early." — Daniel Opare, medical law practice leader representing numerous families

Opare stated that clinicians face pressure to free up beds.

Death in Western Australia Following Hospital Discharge

Hailee, an 18-year-old woman, died by suicide on January 13, hours after being released from a mental health ward at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth. Her mother, Stacey Hildebrandt, alleges that systemic failures contributed to her daughter's death.

Details of Hailee's Case

• Hailee had experienced mental health challenges for several years and had multiple admissions to Fiona Stanley Hospital's mental health ward, most recently in October 2025.
• Days before her final discharge, a serious attempt on her life occurred within the ward.
• Ms. Hildebrandt stated she was not contacted about her daughter's release and could not guarantee her daughter's safety outside the ward.
• Hailee left the hospital on Tuesday, January 13. She later sent messages to her mother stating her intent to die.
• Ms. Hildebrandt contacted the police. Hailee was located less than three hours after leaving the ward, approximately 20 meters from Dumas House in West Perth.
• Ms. Hildebrandt reported that Hailee did not have a care plan upon her release.

Official Responses

WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat extended condolences and stated that the South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) is conducting a detailed review. The SMHS confirmed a "full and thorough clinical review" is underway. The state's coroner is also investigating the death.

Ms. Hildebrandt expressed dissatisfaction with Minister Hammat's condolences, characterizing them as neither sincere nor adequate. She reported sending emails to the minister, Premier Roger Cook, and the chief psychiatrist seeking guidance and accountability early on, but received a response from Ms. Hammat only after a journalist and Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam became involved. Ms. Hildebrandt noted that the health minister had not called or met with her.

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti affirmed the government's commitment to addressing mental health challenges and stated that recommendations from the ongoing investigation would be considered.

Extended Emergency Department Wait in Western Australia

Maddi, a 17-year-old girl, waited 116 hours in the emergency department of Busselton Health Campus for a bed in an adolescent mental health unit after two suicide attempts in March 2025. She was deemed high risk by psychiatric nurses upon admission.

The delay was attributed to a shortage of acute inpatient mental health beds in the South West region, exacerbated by the reduction from 23 to 11 beds at Bunbury Regional Hospital due to redevelopment. Maddi was eventually transferred to Joondalup Mental Health Unit in Perth, over two hours from her family.

WA Country Health Service director of medical services Mark Holloway apologized in writing for the delay and distress. Minister Hammat called the delay unacceptable and stated the incident would be reviewed.

Death in New South Wales Following Hospital Discharge

Gus Wong, 29, died by suicide on November 26, eight days after being discharged from Northern Beaches Hospital mental health unit. He had been treated with electroconvulsive therapy for schizophrenia diagnosed in 2022.

Key Facts

• Wong was admitted September 21 after self-harm and hearing voices, discharged October 2, and readmitted a week later after self-harm.
• His parents expressed concerns to staff that they could not monitor him 24/7 a week before final discharge.
• An internal review found no factors in care that contributed to death. Wong's parents report the review contains inaccuracies.
• Northern Sydney Local Health District apologized for unclear information about the acute care team but stated miscommunication did not affect follow-up care.

MP Jacqui Scruby has called for strengthened discharge safeguards and family communication. Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said the government acted to strengthen community mental health supports after the Bondi Junction stabbing inquest.

Infant Death at Kalgoorlie Health Campus

Willow Katarina Horne, an eight-month-old girl, died at Kalgoorlie Health Campus on September 9, 2025, two days after admission with respiratory issues. The exact cause of death has not been determined.

Timeline

• Willow was admitted to the paediatric ward and treated for pneumonia and slight dehydration.
• When her condition deteriorated, a transfer to Perth Children's Hospital via the Royal Flying Doctor Service was planned.
• The flight was diverted for a higher-priority patient. Willow died before the next available transfer.
• Code blue was called; medical staff worked for one hour but could not save her.

Clinical Review Findings

A clinical review identified opportunities to improve practices related to escalating care, diagnosis consideration, staff communication, and oversight of Royal Flying Doctor Service staffing. The review panel identified myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle related to a viral infection) as the likely underlying health issue. Seven recommendations from the review are being implemented. No staff have been reprimanded, and no indication of negligence or malpractice was found.

Health Minister Meredith Hammat expressed sympathy for the family and stated she would welcome a coronial inquest but has not formally requested one, citing respect for the coroner's independence. Willow's parents called for a coronial inquest. Opposition health spokesperson Libby Mettam argued an independent inquiry was needed.

Systemic Context and Data

• Victoria has experienced a 7% increase in suicides since the pandemic. Mental health-related emergency department presentations in Victoria have risen by nearly a third over the last decade.
• Coroner's Court data from 2009 to 2018 recorded 520 suicides within six weeks of individuals being mental health inpatients.
• Paul Healy, Victorian secretary of the Health and Community Services Union, stated that mental health workers are under significant pressure to manage bed availability. He estimated a deficit of at least 200 adult acute mental health beds and a need for an additional 1500 staff members.
• Suicide is identified as the leading cause of death for young people in Western Australia. In 2024, 40 individuals aged 15-24 died from intentional self-harm.
• A 2012 review of Western Australia's mental health system recommended that no patient be discharged without an adequate care plan. Minister Hammat indicated the specific recommendations of that review had been implemented.
• Professor Matthew Large stated that suicide risk assessments are flawed and recommended universal post-discharge support.
• Research indicates suicide risk is 300 times higher than the general community in the first week post-discharge from a mental health unit.

Government Investment and Sector Feedback

A Victorian state government spokesperson highlighted significant investments made to reform Victoria's mental health system following the 2021 royal commission, including increasing the workforce by over 25% and delivering more than 170 new acute public mental health beds. The government had committed to fully implementing 65 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System.

"The state's mental health system remains challenged by understaffing, funding gaps, and increased demand." — Phillipa Thomas, chief executive of Mental Health Victoria

The state's mental health watchdog has called for greater transparency regarding the expenditure of the annual $1 billion generated by a payroll tax designated for mental health improvements.

The Western Australian government recently opened a 40-bed expansion at Fremantle Hospital. The $471 million Bunbury Regional Hospital redevelopment is ongoing, during which the hospital expanded its Mental Health Hospital in the Home program to eight places and increased emergency department staffing. Opposition health spokesperson Libby Mettam argued that eight places are insufficient to replace 12 lost acute psychiatric beds.

Hospital Statements

Eastern Health stated it could not comment on individual circumstances due to privacy but affirmed adherence to established clinical, legal, and governance frameworks. Mercy Health extended condolences and stated that patient safety is a priority.