Court documents say that at Kareena Private Hospital, Moulton turned on the mains water supply and tampered with three main control points “which all have a direct correlation to the supply of natural gas to the hospital”.
She was charged with intentionally destroying property, being the electrical wiring of Sutherland Hospital.
Police allege that Moulton was at Sutherland Hospital from 12.50am until 12.55, then on the grounds of Kareena Private Hospital from 1.05am until 1.07. She was apprehended at 2am.
She had trespassed at Nate’s Backpackers in Darlinghurst and damaged the fire alarm panel in the days before her arrest.
Moulton admitted to breaching her bail by not reporting to police on Monday, telling the court that she got the dates mixed up.
Police were told that the man died at Sutherland Hospital at 2.30am, about one hour after Moulton allegedly switched off the gas mains at the facility.
Health Minister Ryan Park described the incidents as “highly dangerous” and “deliberate sabotage”.Credit: Sam Mooy
Speaking on Tuesday, Health Minister Ryan Park described the act as “highly dangerous” and “deliberate sabotage” that stopped the flow of medical gases for patients “who are very, very unwell”.
Park also said the alleged vandalism had “no impact” on patients, but was forced to clarify his comments on Wednesday.
“I have since been made aware that a patient passed away during that period,” he said. “This morning, I phoned the family to extend my deepest condolences.”
A death certificate was issued, but the death has now been referred to the coroner.
Sutherland Hospital switched to portable oxygen and air under contingency plans triggered on Tuesday morning, and had restored the gas systems about two hours after the alleged vandalism.
Fences guarding critical medical gases at Sutherland Hospital.Credit: Nine News
There are 360 beds at Sutherland Hospital, which provides critical services spanning emergency care, cancer treatment, a birthing unit, and respiratory and geriatric care.
On Wednesday, Premier Chris Minns said he was “obviously concerned” by the death, vowing it would be “fully investigated”.
“We want to make sure the [patient’s] family has as much information as we have and that we communicate it to them as soon as possible.”
Minns said a “full security audit” would determine how the alleged offender gained access to the gas main, suggesting it “may well have been the case that it was believed no-one would be so callous, or so cruel”.
“We know we’re obliged to protect that critical infrastructure, and I want to assure patients and families across NSW Health, as well as the workers who rely on that infrastructure to work, that we’re going to do everything we can to keep them safe, even in the face of someone allegedly committing a despicable act.”
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Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said hospital security guards, who are represented by the union, were seeing an increase in violence and complex mental health presentations, particularly in emergency departments.
“The security officers have very little power … not only do they have to look after patient and staff security, they have to look after the grounds,” Hayes said. “You can’t really look after the grounds when you’re struggling to look after the hospital.”
A Ramsay Health Care spokeswoman confirmed there had been no impact to patients from the alleged tampering of mains water and non-medical gas supply at Kareena Private Hospital.
“All services were quickly restored with minimal disruption and no impact to patient care,” she said.
A South Eastern Sydney Local Health District spokesperson said it was investigating the death and would carefully consider any findings and recommendations from the coroner’s investigation.
The alleged vandalism is being investigated as a mental health incident.
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