In Brief
- A man is under police guard after a body was discovered inside a mental hospital.
- The investigation follows calls from healthcare workers for greater funding and resources.
A tragic incident at a mental health facility has escalated into a homicide investigation, with another patient now under police supervision, awaiting questioning.
The deceased, a 31-year-old man whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was discovered lifeless in a room at the Swanston Centre in Geelong around 2 a.m. on Monday.
The Swanston Centre, an intensive mental health care establishment operated by Barwon Health, a state-owned entity, has previously been in the spotlight due to concerns about patient treatment and union demands for better pay and measures against workplace violence.
On Monday evening, police informed the Australian Associated Press (AAP) that while the scene had been cleared, the investigation remains active.
Authorities have placed a male patient, who was acquainted with the victim, under guard, although he has yet to be interrogated, according to a police spokesperson.
Barwon Health confirmed that the deceased individual was residing in the facility’s acute mental health ward.
“We extend our condolences to the family of the deceased patient. Support has been extended to staff,” chief medical officer Ajai Verma said in a statement.
Victoria’s Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the incident was very distressing, but declined to comment further citing the police investigation.
Lack of staff, long hours and fatigue at facility
The Health and Community Services Union said the death reflected ongoing concerns about staffing levels, workplace safety and the ability of staff to care safely for patients.
“Many legacy beds remain on that site. These beds are not at a standard we’re seeing at new mental health builds and refurbishments of other mental health facilities,” assistant branch secretary Rebecca Sprekos told AAP.
Sprekos said staff had repeatedly raised concerns about insufficient staffing, long hours, fatigue and the lack of resources to safely manage high-risk situations.
“It is essential that these warnings are finally heeded by the Victorian state government,” she said.
Sprekos called for the government to legislate ratios and staffing profiles for “all disciplines in the public mental health system”.
The office of Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the demand.
WorkSafe inspectors would investigate to see if further action was required, a spokesman said.
Barwon Health was charged in 2025 under workplace laws after a patient died by suicide while undergoing treatment at the centre in 2022.
The case remains before the court.
In 2024, a coronial inquest was launched after a patient was discovered unresponsive by staff at the centre and later died.
Several years earlier, Barwon Heath pledged to make changes at the facility following the death of Natasha Ablett, the older sister of AFL great Gary Ablett Jr.
Natasha Ablett absconded in 2017 and died of a drug overdose.
There is a focus on security at Australian mental health facilities after recent escapes by patients in Sydney who allegedly committed serious crimes.
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