Charlie Stevens death: Fresh blow for SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and his family after his son was killed while celebrating Schoolies
The grieving family of a teenage boy killed in a Schoolies car crash have been dealt another blow after hospital staff were accused of improperly accessing his medical records.
Charlie Stevens, the son of South Australian Police Chief Grant Stevens, was hit by a car driven by Dhirren Randhawa in Goolwa, south of Adelaide, on November 17 last year.
Charlie, 18, was waiting with friends for the bus to the Schoolies party in Victor Harbor when the tragedy unfolded.
He was rushed to Flinders Medical Centre but died the next day from severe brain injuries.
It has now emerged that staff at the Adelaide Hospital have been accused of unlawfully accessing Charlie’s personal medical records.
The alleged incident was discovered several months ago during an audit of the computer system.
SA Health has been made aware of the incident and is currently investigating 18 staff members who had access to Charlie’s records.
Health officials have already suspended ten employees pending further investigation.
Charlie Stevens (pictured) died after being hit by a car in Goolwa, south of Adelaide, on November 17.
The Stevens family has been informed of the investigation.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted South Australian police for further comment.
The allegations come as Charlie’s parents Grant and Emma Stevens prepare to speak candidly about the loss of their son in an emotional interview set to air on Sunday night.
The South African police chief and his wife recall the heartbreaking moment when they feared the worst.
‘The next moment we were in the hospital… we knew, when we saw him [Charlie]’, Mr. Stevens told 60 Minutes.
His wife added: “We knew right away.”
The mother of five said she was devastated by what happened, but added that the couple had forgiven Randhawa.
There was anger, but also sadness [for the driver]“Because his life has changed now,” Mrs. Stevens said.
Charlie (pictured left) was waiting for a bus to go to the Schoolies celebrations in Victor Harbor when tragedy struck. He is pictured with his father, South African Police Chief Grant Stevens.
A spokeswoman for SA Health told Daily Mail Australia that protecting patients’ personal clinical data is a matter taken very seriously.
“We have robust policies and processes in place to ensure employees have access to the right information, and we conduct audits to ensure our policies are being followed,” the spokeswoman said.
‘Any staff member found to have improperly accessed information will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.’
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas was shocked to hear about the alleged breach.
“When I heard this, I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
“Just because you work in health care doesn’t give you the right to meddle in other people’s business.”
South African police chief Grant Stevens and his wife Emma have spoken out about the tragedy in an emotional interview airing Sunday night on 60 Minutes
Hospital staff who access patients’ medical records unlawfully and without permission will be fired.
This rule was introduced by SA Health in 2015 as part of a termination policy.
Randhawa pleaded guilty in the Adelaide District Court last month to a charge of careless driving.
He also pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Randhawa will appear in court again on August 9 to answer to the charges to which he pleaded guilty.