Care before attack reviewed
Nelson Marlborough Health has agreed to conduct another review into the care a mentally unwell man received before he brutally assaulted and raped Nelson woman Sarah Preece.
Preece was attacked in her home in September 2017 by West Coast man Jacob Jensen, who earlier that day had sought mental health help at Nelson Hospital’s emergency department.
An earlier review into the incident, described by Preece as a ‘‘whitewash and coverup’’ found Jensen had no risk factors, that staff had done everything they could, and that no action was required by way of recommendations or improvements.
Preece said the district health board’s decision to conduct another review meant it had the opportunity to make ‘‘significant change for good’’.
On the day of the assault, Jensen presented to Nelson Hospital’s seeking mental health help. After failing to be seen by the mental health crisis team, he left on foot and made and his way to Preece’s, home where he carried out the violent assault for 45 minutes.
In April 2018, Jensen was found not guilty by reason of insanity in relation to charges of burglary, aggravated wounding, and several charges of sexual violation.
Jensen was made a ‘‘special patient’’, and remains detained in a forensic psychiatric facility.
Nelson Marlborough Health chief executive Peter Bramley said the DHB would re-review the care provided to Jensen when he presented to the emergency department on September 7, 2017.
‘‘We are in the process of setting and discussing the terms of reference for this review,’’ he said. ‘‘It will involve both internal and external parties – including consumer representation.’’
Since the attack, Preece has campaigned for the DHB to take responsibility for failing to provide adequate care for Jensen in the hours before she was attacked.
She previously said she didn’t blame the hospital, the clinical staff, or even Jensen for what happened.
Last week, she met with two representatives of Nelson Marlborough Health, who acknowledged the toll that her campaign for transparency and accountability from the DHB had taken.
Preece said she didn’t want to take on the role of ‘‘watchdog’’ for the new review, and it was up to the DHB whether it used the opportunity to make changes within the health system.