In a concerning pattern that continues to unfold across central Queensland, a vulnerable patient with Alzheimer’s disease walked out of the care of Gladstone Hospital on Sunday morning. The incident marks the third time in less than two years that a patient has gone missing from a central Queensland public hospital, raising serious questions about the safety and security measures in place for those with cognitive impairments.
Edward Camille, 65, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, was discovered missing during the hospital’s 7am rounds on Sunday morning. It wasn’t until 11:40am, after a significant search by local police officers, that Camille was safely returned to the hospital. The case, while ultimately resolved without harm, has prompted a review of hospital procedures and a renewed call for heightened vigilance to ensure the safety of patients, particularly those who are vulnerable due to mental health conditions.
The Search and Return of Edward Camille
The sequence of events began early Sunday morning, when Camille was noted missing during routine rounds at 7am. His family was immediately notified by the hospital at 7:30am. At that point, the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS) confirmed that Camille had been unaccounted-for for roughly four to five hours.
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The police were called into action at 9:20am, and an urgent search ensued. According to a Queensland Police Service spokesperson, Camille was located by officers and returned to the hospital by 11:40am, safe and unharmed.
CQHHS chief executive Lisa Blackler expressed relief that Camille was returned safely. In a statement, she reassured the public: “We were relieved that police returned the patient to hospital soon after. We are reviewing this incident and remain committed to continuing to provide great care to central Queenslanders. We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the people in our care.”
This incident follows an ongoing pattern of similar occurrences at hospitals within the same health service region.
A Pattern of Vulnerable Patients Going Missing
The case of Edward Camille is not an isolated one. This is the third such event in less than two years at hospitals within the CQHHS, which oversees several healthcare facilities in central Queensland, including Gladstone and Rockhampton Hospitals.
The first such incident occurred in May 2023, when 80-year-old Peter Roach, a patient at Rockhampton Hospital, went missing. Despite extensive search efforts involving police and the State Emergency Service (SES), Roach was never found. His disappearance shocked the local community, and it was later revealed that Roach, who had a medical condition that affected his memory, had left the hospital on previous occasions without being discharged.
The disappearance prompted a review of hospital procedures, including improvements to security measures and staff protocols. Despite these efforts, the issue resurfaced when an 80-year-old Alzheimer’s patient, Margaret Carvell, went missing from Rockhampton Hospital in July 2024. Fortunately, Carvell was found safe and well after five hours of searching by emergency services.
The recurrence of these incidents has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of current safeguards, especially considering the repeated nature of these cases.
Review of Procedures and Security Measures
Following the disappearance of Peter Roach in 2023, CQHHS conducted a review of the hospital’s procedures to prevent further incidents. Changes were introduced, including the installation of automatic locks on ward doors and the implementation of new signage for visitors. These measures were designed to improve patient security and ensure that doors to secure areas would remain locked at all times.
However, CQHHS has confirmed that the doors to the ward where Camille was located on Sunday morning were not locked. This raises questions about the effectiveness of current security measures, particularly for patients who are at risk of wandering due to cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease.
The review conducted after Roach’s disappearance revealed that hospital staff had been advised to take swift action in response to missing patient incidents, with recommendations to hold review meetings within 48 hours of any such event. Yet, despite this guidance, documents revealed that action review meetings regarding Roach’s disappearance were held a month after the incident, leading some to question the urgency with which these matters are handled.
The Need for Improved Patient Safety Measures
The repeated cases of patients wandering from hospitals in central Queensland underscore the need for more comprehensive security measures and patient monitoring systems. For those with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, the risk of wandering is a serious concern, and hospitals must ensure that they are equipped with the tools necessary to prevent such incidents from occurring.
Patient safety advocates argue that healthcare facilities must prioritize not only physical security but also staff training and awareness to mitigate these risks. For instance, enhanced staff awareness of the particular needs of patients with dementia or other cognitive impairments is essential in preventing patients from leaving secured areas undetected.
“We are committed to continually improving our processes and systems to provide the best care and ensure the safety of patients,” Blackler added. “We are looking into every aspect of this incident to determine how we can prevent something like this from happening again.”
While CQHHS has reiterated its commitment to patient safety, these incidents have left many questioning whether the current measures are sufficient. Given the serious nature of these cases, it is imperative that the hospital system in central Queensland address these concerns and implement more effective strategies to protect vulnerable patients.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
The case of Edward Camille, though resolved without harm, highlights the ongoing vulnerability of patients in healthcare facilities, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive impairments. The recurrent nature of such incidents at central Queensland hospitals suggests that more robust security measures and a more rapid response to patient safety concerns are needed.
As authorities review their current practices and implement improvements, the community remains hopeful that these incidents will not be repeated. The safety of patients—especially the most vulnerable—must be the highest priority for healthcare providers moving forward.
