Jacintha Saldanha: still waiting for answers

The family of Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who was found hanged after taking a hoax phone call about the Duchess of Cambridge, are still be awaiting answers from the authorities of the hospital where she worked.

Saldanha was found dead, hanged in her nurses’ quarters three days after she put a hoax call from Australian radio show presenters through to a colleague who then proceeded to give a detailed description of the Duchess’ condition, who was in the hospital being treated for acute morning sickness at the time.

Regardless of any other contributing factors that caused this woman to take her own life, the hospital must accept accountability for the result. Although the hospital insists that Saldanha neither received nor would have faced in the future any disciplinary action this does not absolve them of all blame and responsibility, the least they can do is answer the outstanding questions of the grieving widower and two children left behind hoping for answers. They should not just be expected to wait until those in charge deign to bring their internal enquiry to conclusion.

The heads of the Australian Radio station’s parent company Southern Cross Austereo are also said to be in possession of a 40-question long list for their part in Mrs Saldanha’s demise, and are said to be cooperating fully with the Australian regulatory body’s inquiry according to Labour MP Keith Vaz.

It must be understood that while the media and public interest may move on this family is not afforded that privilege. The least that can be done is to answer their questions about what responsibility the hospital had in this extremely tragic case.

Ashlea Williams