Arabic version: التحقيق في ثلاثة أخطاء دوائية في كورلانا تابا
According to ABC News, South Australian health authorities have investigated three medication errors at Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre since January 2025. The incidents, reported between January 2025 and October 2026, involved a chemist dispensing error with an incorrect dose, a detainee accessing another detainee’s over-the-counter medication, and a documentation error. SA Health said the errors caused no harm and that each incident was thoroughly investigated, with follow-up action taken.
SA Health runs a clinical in-reach service at the Cavan detention centre six days a week, while operational unit staff administer medication to children in custody. A joint report by the Chief Psychiatrist and the Youth Training Centre Visitor, tabled in state parliament last year, raised concerns that the absence of a 24/7 health service undermined timely and appropriate clinical care.
The report said 10 medication errors were reported at the centre between January 2024 and January 2025. It found instances in which youth workers administered medication without a medical officer review or an order for the resident, and said handwritten charts and fragmented manual systems created risks for medication accuracy, safety and appropriate administration.
Acting Training Centre Visitor Sue Macdonald said the errors were concerning, particularly because some young people received psychotropic or other strong medications. She said the centre had improved systems since the report, but a round-the-clock health service remained a key unmet recommendation. SA Health said it had improved prescribing and blister-pack checks, updated procedures and provided ongoing education and visual alerts for staff, contributing to fewer reported incidents.
The forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service provides ongoing care, medication review and support alongside visiting GP and nursing staff. Following recent hires, the centre was expected to employ 5.2 full-time equivalent clinicians by mid-November. The Women’s and Children’s Health Network is recruiting toward a full capacity of 6.75 clinical staff, while noting a national shortage of mental health clinicians.
