"Safety and security of visitors and staff"

I attended the Sydney Eye Hospital with my elderly mother (who is wheelchair bound) for her regular checkup.

On arrival, we had difficulties entering the facility as the regular doors were closed, but a sign indicated that the entrance was now from the Eastern side in the courtyard where the Robert Brough Fountain is located.

Being on crutches it was an additional burden, but fortunately someone inside noticed we were standing at the entrance and opened the main double opening doors for us.

The staff explained that the door was not to be used anymore by order from upstairs.

Although now retired, I was a QA (Quality Assurance) and Safety Expert with company and this situation looks like a major safety issue.

I requested to speak to management to have the main entrance doors opened immediately as the waiting room was full of people and the situation in the event of an emergency would be hazardous.

I eventually spoke over the phone and then later in person with a staff member who took note of my concerns and requested I use this method to bring this serious breach of Occupational Health & Safety to the attention of management.

In no way do I wish to cause any issues to the excellent staff who have looked after my aging mother, but am extremely concerned about the safety of all visitors and staff.

I would appreciate if someone could review this decision to keep the main doors closed (I am told because it is disruptive to Executive Management who work on the upper floors) and reverse the decision.