Published June 2026
Serious safety failures at the Lyell McEwin Hospital Emergency Department are reportedly leaving staff unable to identify the location of Code Black emergencies, including one incident involving an armed patient. A SafeWork SA report alleges duress alarm display screens have not been working for more than six months, leaving staff unable to identify the location of emergency duress calls and potentially placing staff and patients at risk. The report, prepared following an inspection by the South Australian Salaried Medical Association (SASMOA), states: “Members reported that there was an incident where staff were taking a number of patients through from the waiting room to See And Treat, only to open a door and walk into a situation where a duress call had been made and a Code Black response was happening, with the patient having weapons and SA Police involved.” The report also alleges staff raised concerns with management and lodged formal incident reports, but no permanent solution has been implemented despite the fault reportedly persisting for more than six months. Shadow Health Minister Jack Batty said the allegations raised serious questions about staff safety. "This report paints a deeply concerning picture of frontline healthcare workers being left without one of the most basic workplace safety protections at one of South Australia’s busiest emergency departments,” Mr Batty said. "If a doctor or nurse presses a duress alarm, every second counts. Staff need to know exactly where help is needed immediately. "No healthcare worker should have to walk into a violent situation because critical safety systems have been allowed to fail. "Labor spruiks record health spending but seems to be failing to provide the most basic protections to keep our healthcare staff safe at work. "The Government must immediately explain why these systems have been allowed to deteriorate, what action has been taken to replace outdated technology, and when staff can expect a permanent fix." Media Contact: Hayley McDonald 0408 100 373 |
