Aishwarya Aswath: Staff who dealt with young girl haven’t worked in PCH emergency department since death

The medical staff who “let down” seven-year-old Aishwarya Aswath have not returned to work in Perth Children Hospital’s emergency department following her death. Child and Adolescent Health Service WA chief executive Aresh Anwar today confirmed the staff involved were not currently fulfilling any ED duties. Dr Anwar refused to confirm how many staff members were involved or if the decision to have them removed was made by the individuals or the hospital. “That information is very personal and I'm not going to go into that detail,” Dr Anwar said. “I think it’s very difficult ... staff need to have confidence and reassurance and (there have been) pressures that have been raised as a result of this report.” He said the organisation wanted “some assurance” and further investigation into the matter before “we ask them to come back to work”. It follows the release of the full report into Aishwayra’s death. The report concluded the seven-year-old was let down and had not received adequate care. Despite the full report being released by Aishwarya’s parents, Dr Anwar said only “part of the story” was known. He insisted he did not want to foster a culture of blame. “You have my personal committent changes will be made,” he said. Health Minister Roger Cook said releasing the report must have been an “extremely difficult decision” for Aishwayra’s parents. “The report is extremely distressing to read. It was painful and excruciating,” he said. He said he had tried “not to engage” in any commentary surrounding the clinical decisions made by nurses, doctors and administrative staff. “I realise now that the reports been made public, that some of their actions will be questioned and they’ll be scrutinised,” he said. “I fully understand this ... but to anyone who was not in that ED on April 3, it is not our role to be judge and jury.” Opposition health spokesperson Libby Mettam called for Mr Cook to acknowledge a lack of experienced staff was one of the factors that led to Aishwarya’s death. “Roger Cook continues to put his head in the sand over the devastating facts laid bare in this report — that our flagship children’s hospital is understaffed and under resourced and it is having tragic outcomes,” Ms Mettam said. Dr Anwar later to confirmed to The West Australian that the nurses involved remain employed by CAHS but “are not currently working”.