YAMATJI MAN DENIED ACCESS TO FIONA STANLEY HOSPITAL

Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Yamatji man Michael Rickhards was denied access to Fiona Stanley hospital on Saturday when attempting to visit a family member.

According to Mr Rickhards, five security guards were called to remove him and another family member from the facility. Mr Rickhards said the hospital did not consider special instructions regarding visiting hours for the patient, and that hospital staff refused to identify themselves when asking him to leave the premises.

Mr Rickhards said that the hospital's Aboriginal Health Liaison Service failed to assist him, both before and after the incident.

A South Metropolitan Health Services spokesperson said Mr Rickhards’ visit was unable to be facilitated due to Covid-19-related visitor restrictions. 

The spokesperson says that Fiona Stanley Hospital staff spent time explaining to family members that two people at a time could visit the patient during visiting times. They stated the hospital accommodated staggered visits where possible.

Mr Rickhards said he wants Fiona Stanley hospital to start taking responsibility.

“I want them to start treating Aboriginal patients, especially us mob from country, properly,” he told Ngaarda Media.

“We want to be treated like the next white person in the ward. We are all human.”