Published July 2026
The Malinauskas Labor Government has failed to phase out room sharing in two public hospital psychiatric wards, with the practice to be allowed for at least another 12 months. Notices issued by the Chief Psychiatrist have revealed dual occupancy will continue at:
The notice states: "In issuing this notice, the Chief Psychiatrist notes the intent to phase out dual occupancy rooms." This is the same statement made in 2024, when an extension of the temporary arrangements was last approved. In 2020, Deputy State Coroner Anthony Schapel recommended that room sharing in psychiatric wards in SA public hospitals "should no longer be permitted" after finding shared accommodation contributed to the 2014 death of Stephen Barton at Noarlunga Hospital. Nearly six years later, and more than four years since Labor was elected on the back of bold health promises, shared rooms are still a reality. Shadow Minister for Health and Wellbeing Jack Batty said the extension of temporary arrangements is a clear sign South Australia doesn’t have enough acute mental health beds. “South Australians experiencing a mental health crisis deserve privacy, dignity and care - not to be sharing hospital rooms because the system has run out of capacity,” Mr Batty said. “That pressure flows through the entire hospital system and contributes to emergency department overcrowding and ramping - you can’t fix ramping if you don’t fix the mental health bottleneck. “The Malinauskas Government needs to stop managing the shortage and start fixing it by releasing a clear mental health capacity plan to end the routine use of shared rooms and ensure patients can access appropriate care when they need it. “The Government keeps announcing small numbers of new mental health beds here and there, but there is no comprehensive plan for how South Australia will meet growing demand for mental health care. “Temporary exemptions are becoming the norm. We want a plan that sets out how many beds are needed, where they’re needed and how they’ll be staffed.” Media Contact: Ben Avery 0439 955 254 |
