Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital has been charged over the death of a young Aboriginal woman who committed suicide while she was a patient there.

family of Makary Watts Owen gave permission for the use of her name and image.

Macallie Owens Watts was admitted to St. Vincent’s University Mental Health Department in February 2024, before taking her own life.

In a statement, WorkSafe Victoria said the hospital was charged with two counts of “failing to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that non-employees were not exposed to health and safety risks”.

McCurry’s mother, Sharon Watts, said hospitals were not helpful in her daughter’s time of need.

“St Vincent’s Hospital needs to be held accountable and we want to make sure this never happens to anyone else’s child again,” Watts said.

“The grief has been immense in the nearly two years since she left us, but today’s announcement from WorkSafe is a step towards achieving justice in her name.”

A spokesperson for Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital said the hospital offered its condolences to the family of Ms McCurry Watts-Owens but could not comment further as the WorkSafe investigation was ongoing.

family seeks answers

Ms Watts is represented by the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) and is seeking answers over her daughter’s death.

VALS chief executive Nerita Wight said the service would continue to support Ms Watts and her family in their pursuit of answers.

“Hospitals are supposed to be places of safety and care for vulnerable people seeking support, but there are many examples of how they are far from being such places for our communities,” she said.

“The circumstances of Makary’s death are tragic. Makary had a full life ahead of him and wanted to study law and work in child protection. My heart breaks for Sharon and everyone who loved her.”

Watts Owen’s death Featured in last year’s Victoria State Truth Inquiryas part of a new investigation into fraud in the state’s health care system.

VALS lead lawyer Siobhan Doyle said there was “well-documented evidence” that Indigenous people were at greater risk in situations such as the one faced by Ms Owens-Watts.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience higher rates of mental health problems and are at increased risk of self-harm and suicide,” she said.

“When our hospitals and health care workers do not provide comprehensive, trauma-informed and culturally competent care, lives are at risk.”

The matter has been listed for a submissions hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court on February 17.