Ravenshoe Post-incident review

The Department of Health and the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service commissioned a joint health service investigation to review and report on systemic matters relating to the tragic accident that occurred in Ravenshoe on 9 June 2015.

The explosion at the 'Serves You Right Café' was a mass casualty event, and the investigation intended to establish any lessons that could be learned for preparing for and responding to future incidents of this nature. While the review had been commissioned as a 'health service investigation' under the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011, which empowers the appointed individuals to undertake the necessary activities to complete the investigation, the Terms of Reference for the review made it clear it was for the purpose of improving future public health services in situations such as those faced in Ravenshoe. It was not intended that the review assess the clinical care of patients or personal circumstances of individuals.

Mr David Melville APM ASM was appointed as the lead health service investigator for the review. He is an experienced former public servant who has been involved in responding to a range of major events, having held the positions of Commissioner, Queensland Ambulance Service and Assistant Commissioner of Police in Queensland.  He was supported by a small, independent team of health service investigators.

Final report

The review has identified a number of areas where lessons may be learned for the State’s public sector health system in responding to future mass casualty incidents.

The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service and Department of Health Joint Health Service Investigation – Ravenshoe Post-Incident Review (PDF 1.2MB) is now available.

Other information

Full Terms of Reference for the Joint Health Service Investigation — Ravenshoe Post-incident Review (PDF 140kB).