BARBARA Spriggs describes herself as “an ordinary everyday Australian, without any special qualifications”. Maybe so, but she has been recognised for her extraordinary achievements by being named the 2018 Senior South Australian of the Year.
“I want to send a message through this award that no matter who you are, you can make a difference if you see something is not right,” she said.
The award is an acknowledgement of Barbara’s tireless work to create awareness of systematic abuse and neglect at the Oakden aged mental health facility.
Her campaign for justice began in late 2016 when she suspected her husband Bob – who died in February last year while a patient at Oakden – had been mistreated.
He had bruising on this legs, was dehydrated and had been overmedicated on three occasions.
Barbara was determined to find out what had happened to him.
“I hit a lot of brick walls trying to get answers.
“I went through the existing complaint channels and I think they thought I was going to give up.
“I wanted to get information under Freedom of Information legislation before I even knew what that was, and all along it was hard to get answers.”
Eventually a letter was written to then Mental Health Minister Leesa Vlahos; but it was really when other families started to speak out that the lid was lifted on the issues.
“It wasn’t until January this year that other families started to come forward,” Barbara said. “It took a long time for them to speak up.
“I can understand why people don’t speak up as they have so much to deal with when a loved one is in this situation.”
Barbara admits there were times she wanted to give up, but she owed it to her husband to keep going.
Her campaign led to a formal enquiry, a report detailing a culture of cover-up, and an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry.
The Oakden facility subsequently closed and the patients were transferred to a refurbished facility at Northgate.
Barbara attended the opening and was overwhelmed with the outcome. “The Northgate facility looks like it’s brand new with wonderful wards, and outdoor settings where clients can enjoy the gardens.”
One of the significant changes resulting from Barbara’s campaign is unannounced inspections of mental health sites. She is now a member of the multi-disciplinary SA Culture Expert Working Group established to, among other things, address the way patients are treated and look into appropriate staff training.
Barbara will represent South Australia at the Australian of the Year Awards to be announced in Canberra on January 25.
