9. SUE BRADFORD (Green) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What steps, if any, is the Minister taking to ensure the safety and well-being of patients at Auckland City Hospital’s acute psychiatric unit?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Health) Link to this
I am satisfied that following an independent review earlier this year, Auckland District Health Board has begun making extensive changes to its adult mental health services to improve the safety and well-being of patients. These include appointing a new head of psychiatry in the department, extensive changes to nursing accountabilities and rosters, and new reporting mechanisms through to the Ministry of Health, which will follow up on the full implementation of the recommendations.
Is the Minister aware that the man whose body was found floating under Wynyard Wharf in Auckland on Sunday, 17 August had been discharged from Auckland City Hospital’s acute psychiatric unit very shortly before he died?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I have received no specific briefing on the identity of that gentleman.
Why does the Minister think it acceptable that despite the small number of changes he outlined in his earlier answer, Te Whetu Tawera continues to deal with patient safety and releases inappropriately, and what action will he take to ensure incidents like this latest one will not happen again; does he really think that changing the designations of nurses and changing a few rosters will deal with the seriousness of the situation in Auckland?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I hope the member will forgive me if I did not capture in one answer to a parliamentary question all of the changes that are being made. Very significant changes are being made in those mental health services, and they include a full review of the security arrangements—including the discharge arrangements—for patients needing supervision. I have also further given a commitment to the member that I will expect the full implementation of recommendations from the independent review.
Does the Government have any longer-term strategies in Auckland to ensure that there are more spaces available in quality rehabilitation units—at the moment there is only one—and that there is sufficient step-down accommodation, community support, and accommodation services for patients such as the gentleman who was recently released in these circumstances?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Yes. I am advised that there are further increases in the community-based acute mental health provision following from that review, and also that there are enhancements to the cultural training and practice of staff at Auckland mental health services.