Review likely after AWOL Wakari patient's river jump

Security procedures at Wakari Hospital will probably be reviewed again after a patient at the mental health facility was apprehended a fortnight ago following a police pursuit through Central Otago.

The Southern District Health Board does not comment on individual cases, but the Otago Daily Times understands a man who made headlines in late December when he jumped into the Clutha River near Alexandra while trying to evade police is a patient at Wakari.

It is understood that this is not the first time this patient has absented himself from the hospital, and that he is one of several patients who have left its grounds in recent months without leave.

Most patients at Wakari are there voluntarily and hence not confined to locked rooms.

‘‘Mental Health Services clinical services work hard to provide treatment in the least restrictive setting as possible,’’ SDHB mental health general manager Louise Travers said.

‘‘This approach very much relies on a positive therapeutic relationship being established between clinical staff and patients to support their engagement in treatment and where it is delivered.’’

However, freedom of movement does come at some risk.

In October 2017, a Wakari patient, Gordon McLean — a frail man with schizophrenia and dementia — went missing from the hospital and has not been seen since.

An independent review of his case found no fault with his nursing care, but at the time of the review’s release Ms Travers said its findings had raised broader concerns about mental health facilities at Wakari.

Ms Travers said the service reviewed all adverse incidents as they occurred, and reviewed policies and procedures as required.

The SDHB is considering the future of Wakari, and last year received a report that said many of the buildings were ending their useful life, posed safety risks to patients and staff, and hindered appropriate care.

mike.houlahan@odt.co.nz