Family welcomes review into death of Adelaide woman left in hospital corridor
Hospital footage obtained by the family showed 64-year-old Helen Sargent being left unattended for more than an hour on a bed in a corridor at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in October 2025 before she died.
The South Australian government has announced an independent external review into the tragic death of Helen Sargent, who passed away in 2025 after being left unattended in a corridor at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH). Ms Sargent's family has welcomed the decision, as they believe it will provide the answers they seek regarding the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Hospital footage revealed that the 64-year-old was left on a bed in a corridor for over an hour before her death. Previous clinical reviews had concluded that the death was not a result of her placement in the corridor. SA Health Minister Blair Boyer suggested the review to the family, stating that they deserve answers and clarity about what transpired.
The review is expected to commence within six months, conducted by an independent entity separate from SA Health and the hospital. Opposition leader Ashton Hurn expressed hope that the inquiry would inform government policy, emphasizing the months of delay before any action was taken. Health worker unions have long been advocating for an intervention to address the pressures faced by public hospitals, with the Ambulance Employees Association labeling the practice of 'ramping' - where patients are left in corridors awaiting care - as preventable, dangerous, and unacceptable.
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