Positive outcome for Nullagine after nurse death tragedy

Nullagine breathed a sigh of relief on Monday with the arrival of the community’s new full-time nurse.

The North West Telegraph reported last week that Nullagine had been left vulnerable following the July 14 death of its previous remote area nurse Connie Smith.

No full-time replacement had been found in the five weeks since Ms Smith’s tragic death, leaving Nullagine without professional medical aid.

But late last week WA Country Health Service confirmed it had secured a new nurse, who was anticipated to start work on Monday.

It was revealed in Parliament on Thursday that the Nullagine clinic had to be repaired following Ms Smith’s death because local police were forced to break into the building when they were unable to find the front door and drug safe keys.

A replacement door had been insufficient, leading to a longer repair time.

Pilbara MP Tom Stephens said he shared the relief of Nullagine people at the news their clinic would re-open with a nurse once again located in town.

“The tragedy of losing Connie Smith in this way was terrible. But it is a serious indictment of the State Government that they have taken five weeks to have some one step into the role and work that Connie took so seriously,” he said. “People in Pilbara towns should not be treated like second class citizens when it comes to their health and medical needs and that is what has happened over the last five weeks.”