Hillcrest tragedy prompted major hospital protocol changes
Hospitals changed how they identify patients after the 2021 Hillcrest incident left children unidentified for hours.
Six children died in December 2021. A sudden gust of wind lifted a jumping castle at an end-of-year event at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport, Tasmania.
A coronial inquest is now underway. The inquest revealed that the tragedy prompted urgent changes to hospital protocols.
When injured children arrived at Mersey Community Hospital, some remained unidentified for hours. Families had no information while they searched for their kids.
The hospital declared a code brown, a mass casualty emergency. It was the first since a 2001 bus crash in the state's north-west.
Tasmanian Health Service staff have since changed how they track and identify patients during major incidents. Coroner Olivia McTaggart is hearing evidence over four days this week.
Further hearings are scheduled for November and February.
- 6 children
- Deaths
- 3 classmates
- Seriously injured
- Devonport, Tasmania
- Location
- December 16, 2021
- Date
Why it mattersThe tragedy led to new rules. They prevent identification failures during mass casualty emergencies.
AustraliaTasmania's health system has changed emergency protocols. Other Australian hospitals may adopt similar safeguards for mass casualty incidents.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 d ago
