I’m Nicole King, a Mount Gambier resident. Recently, I admitted myself voluntarily to Mount Gambier Hospital for mental and physical health support. What should have been a safe space turned into a nightmare.

During my stay:

My physical health concerns were completely ignored, even after repeated requests and advocacy from nursing staff.

The hospital Director spoke to me in a way that was judgmental, distressing, and completely lacking compassion.

I was discharged without any consultation with my long-term treating psychiatrist, Dr Saro Hapuarachchi, who was told she “had no jurisdiction” over my care.

This isn’t just about me. My granddaughter was admitted via ambulance and monitored for four days without her parents being informed. Nurses failed to document her care properly. These experiences show serious gaps in patient safety, communication, and accountability.

Rural patients deserve better. We are calling for:

Proper mental health training for all hospital staff

Compassionate communication with patients

Coordination with treating clinicians

Clear accountability and documentation

Stronger oversight to prevent this happening to anyone else

If you believe vulnerable patients should be treated with dignity, please sign and share. Every signature pushes for real change in rural hospitals.

👉 https://c.org/zbqNHhqPLP