The Southern District Health Board is ''stunned'' by an article in student magazine Critic, which it says breached the privacy of patients.
The health board is preparing a complaint to Critic's advisory board about the piece, and is reviewing security at a Wakari Hospital mental health ward, which has not been identified.
Published on September 22, the article centres on a visit to an '''acute inpatient ward'', although the facility is unnamed.
In the article, writer Hannah Collier said her investigation into Dunedin's mental health service was prompted by publicity this year about cuts to the number of mental health beds at Wakari Hospital.
Turned away from the ward by a nurse after introducing herself and stating her purpose, she entered as a visitor.
The article said a group of patients were ''walking aimlessly around the common room, while others sat alone in random spots staring at the wall, or the ceiling, or outside, or at one another''.
''What struck me about the whole situation was that the severity of patients who were in there was of such a high variation, yet they were all thrown into the room together.''
Patients were described as lining up at a reception desk for their medication.
''The place was awful and the people there all seemed lost - looking for guidance, but to me, at the wrong place.''
Patients were quoted speaking about their mental health issues, but were not named.
The writer said the health board was right to reduce inpatient beds, and cater for patients in the community, because they would have more contact with other people in a community setting.
SDHB patient services director Lexie O'Shea said staff were dismayed by the ''negative, misinformed and stigmatising'' article.
''We are stunned at the lack of respect for patient privacy and wonder if the people the student spoke with were aware she was to publish the information in a student magazine.
''It is also disappointing that the student felt unable to call to request a tour or information as staff would have welcomed the opportunity to showcase the superb work they do to help people rehabilitate or recover from the variety of physical and mental health conditions that impact on their lives.''
This week's Critic featured three letters criticising the article from people who said they were former inpatients at Wakari. All defended its standard of care for patients.
Yesterday, Critic editor Zane Pocock said the letter writers' concerns had been addressed individually.
The magazine has not responded publicly to the concerns, and Mr Pocock declined to answer the Otago Daily Times' queries yesterday.
''I am currently looking into how I am addressing this issue. The letter writers thus far have felt that I am addressing it adequately.''
