SA Health investigates medication errors at youth detention centre
SA Health says three medication errors at the state's youth detention centre have been investigated since January 2025, with a watchdog repeating a call for a dedicated all-hours health service at the site.
State health authorities have investigated three medication errors at South Australia's youth detention centre, Kurlana Tapa, since January 2025. The errors included a chemist dispensing error, a young detainee accessing another detainee's over-the-counter medication, and a documentation error. While SA Health states the errors did not cause harm, they noted that all incidents were thoroughly investigated and appropriate follow-up action taken.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) aims to have 6.75 full-time equivalent clinical staff on site, but a watchdog is concerned this recommendation has yet to be implemented. The lack of a 24/7 health service is a recurring concern, with previous reports of 10 medication errors between January 2024 and January 2025.
SA Health operates a clinical in-reach service six days a week, but operational staff administer medication to the detained youth. Critics argue the current system lacks clinical oversight, potentially leading to medication administration errors. The watchdog emphasized that while any medication error is concerning, the bigger issue is the access to healthcare for young people in the centre.
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