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Health

WA's Hedland Health Campus death investigation findings won't be released after family request

The woman died in June while being treated at the hospital. (ABC Pilbara: Laura Birch)

The findings into the death of a woman who died after seeking treatment at a hospital in regional WA will not be made public to respect the family's privacy. 

The woman died in June after receiving care at Hedland Health Campus in WA's Pilbara region, and a "full and thorough investigation" was launched by the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) soon after. 

The government confirmed the investigation was finished and said the WACHS would implement all recommendations, but the report would not be made public in line with the family's request.

Liberal MP Neil Thomson used Thursday's parliamentary question time to ask the government about the death of the woman and referred to the incident as a suicide.

The WA Country Health Service will implement all the investigation's recommendations into the death. (ABC Pilbara: Michelle Stanley)

Mr Thomson said he understood the family's request but wanted more transparency from the government to ensure a similar incident did not occur.

"This is a matter of great public importance, there needs to be reassurance in the community that something is taking place to ensure that this never happens again," he said.

"We are seeing such devastating outcomes ... unfortunately these issues have to be brought forward."

Mr Thomson asked WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson to visit the Hedland Health Campus. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)

Call for ministerial visit

Mr Thomson called on WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson to visit the hospital to understand the challenges staff faced at work.

"We really need to have transparency and we need to have leadership," he said.

"You have to examine this and undertake a very analytical assessment of the causes, a root and branch assessment."

In parliament the government spokesperson told Mr Thomson the health minister would visit the Pilbara before the end of the year.

WACHS Pilbara director Margi Faulkner said the service felt the family's loss deeply.

"While we will never be able to replace their loss, we continue to closely support them and have communicated outcomes openly and transparently – including the fact all recommendations will be implemented," she said.

"The WA Country Health Service will continue to respect the family's absolute right to privacy throughout this difficult time."

Ms Sanderson was contacted for comment.

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