The Southern District Health Board failed to provide a proper treatment plan for a man who later committed suicide, seemingly on hospital grounds, Mental Health Commissioner Kevin Allan has found. The man, identified in the report as Mr A, was admitted to an open ward of the DHB’s inpatient mental health unit for compulsory treatment, following an attempt to self-harm, in 2017. Allan heard that medical staff failed to notify Mr A’s family, believing it was police’s job to do so. Millar said the Mental Health Addiction and Intellectual Disability Directorate was working through Allan’s recommendations and findings. thelowdown.co.nz – or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626Anxiety New Zealand - 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)Supporting Families in Mental Illness - 0800 732 825

Source: Stuff August 17, 2020 10:25 UTC