[ad_1]
The West Coast District Board of Health apologized to the family of a man who died of an alleged suicide while being treated at a mental health unit.
In a report released Monday, mental health commissioner Kevin Allan said the man, in his 60s, had a complex medical history, including a history of mental illness.
His condition deteriorated in 2018 and he was admitted to an inpatient unit for diagnostic clarification. He was considered to have a moderate to high risk of suicide.
The only inpatient mental health unit on the West Coast is at Gray Base Hospital, now known as Te Nikau Hospital and Health Center.
READ MORE:
* The district health board and nurse are at fault for the death of a mental health patient
* Southern DHB Mental Health Failed Patient
* Wellington Hospital violated the rights of Samuel Fischer, who died of alleged suicide in the mental health unit
Supplied
A photo of the acute and community mental health building at Gray Base Hospital.
The man was monitored over the weekend and no new concerns were noted until Sunday night, when he became nervous and refused his medication.
He barricaded himself in his room during the night and began banging on the door repeatedly. He expressed his desire to leave the inpatient unit and called his sister and a friend for support.
The nurses observed the man during the night, but not between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Monday. At 9 in the morning a multidisciplinary meeting was held, during which the concerns of the man’s sister were conveyed and the man’s case was discussed.
At 9:30 a.m., the man was found in his room after an alleged suicide attempt. He died four days later.
The Mental Health Commissioner found that the district health board (DHB) did not adequately document the man’s health care plan.
Ross Setford / NZPA
The West Coast DHB apologized to the man’s family after he died of an alleged suicide while in an inpatient mental health unit.
The DHB also failed to ensure that the man’s room was checked for risk points, did not complete hourly observations after 6.30 a.m., and did not increase the man’s attention when his condition deteriorated.
“Several staff members demonstrated a lack of critical thinking about the care that [the man] required overnight and a lack of initiative to address his deteriorating condition, ”Allan said.
West Coast DHB Acting Chief Executive Officer Andrew Brant said the board accepted all of the commissioner’s recommendations and had apologized to the man’s family.
“We recognize that in 2018 several of our systems and processes did not meet the required standards and did not support staff to provide the best care.”
Since then, the board had made several changes to its practices, including reviewing its individual recovery and treatment plan template and auditing new transfer and intake forms to ensure that all relevant information was recorded.
Changes have also been made to strengthen teamwork and improve communication processes in the unit.
“We would like to once again reiterate our condolences to the person’s family / whānau and friends and express our sincere apologies for the fact that he died while in our care.”
WHERE TO GET HELP:
1737, do you need to talk? – Toll free or text 1737 to speak with a trained counselor
Depression.org.nz – 0800 111757 or text 4202
Lifeline – 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 SUPPORT)
Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected], or find online chat and other support options here.
Rural Support Trust – 0800787254
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
What’s Up – 0800 942 8787 (for children from 5 to 18 years old). Telephone counseling available Monday through Friday, noon to 11 p.m. M. And on weekends, from 3 pm. M. At 11 p. M. Online chat is available from 3 pm to 10 pm every day.
thelowdown.co.nz – Web Chat, Email Chat or Free Text 5626
Anxiety New Zealand – 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
Support for families with mental illness – 0800732825.
