No trust in DHB ability to review alleged murder
The director of mental health did not have confidence in the Canterbury health authority’s ability to ensure a ‘‘timely review’’ following an alleged murder by a mental health patient.
Laisa Waka, 52, was just metres from her home in Christchurch when she was attacked by a man wielding a knife about 4.20pm on June 25. She died at the scene.
A 37-year-old man, who has name suppression, was arrested a short time later, about 500 metres away, and charged with murder.
The man was a patient in a secure unit at Hillmorton Hospital. He was on community leave at the time of Waka’s death.
Correspondence released to
The Press under the Official Information Act reveals Health Minister Andrew Little wrote to the director of mental health, Dr John Crawshaw, on June 29.
Little wrote that media were reporting the accused was under the care of mental health services run by Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Waitaha (previously known as the Canterbury District Health Board).
‘‘I am seeking your assurances that a full and comprehensive investigation is being conducted by you and your office. I expect the full co-operation of the Canterbury DHB to assist you in your investigation,’’ the minister wrote.
Little asked for a full report on the status of Crawshaw’s investigation and preliminary findings by the end of that day.
In reply, Crawshaw said two statutory powers could be invoked regarding the incident. He had directed a representative from Te Whatu Ora to meet with the local health authority in person to gain a better understanding of the situation. At the time, he had received only initial information on the incident and the service in general.
‘‘From the information I have received this evening, I am not satisfied that I have confidence in Canterbury DHB’s ability to ensure a timely review of the issues. I believe, therefore, that I will need to invoke one of my statutory powers outlined above,’’ Crawshaw wrote.
‘‘I want to assure you that I am treating this situation with the utmost seriousness. We share your expectation that Canterbury DHB should be co-operating.’’
The following day Crawshaw wrote to Little again and reiterated his comments about his lack of confidence in the DHB.
‘‘I have also since received further information from a representative from interim Health New Zealand regarding the inpatient mental
health service at Canterbury DHB. This information has confirmed these concerns, which relate to broader service issues.’’
Crawshaw said he would invoke rarely used statutory powers under the Mental Health Act to order an inspection of the facility.
Te Whatu Ora Waitaha interim district director Dr Peter Bramley said a full review was carried out whenever a ‘‘serious adverse event’’ occurred involving patients in its care.
Te Whatu Ora Waitaha was ‘‘working collaboratively’’ with Crawshaw and his independent panel on the inspection, Bramley said. ‘‘I can assure the public that if there are recommendations for changes to be made as a result of our own, or any external review, these will be actioned.’’
The murder-accused appeared in the High Court in Christchurch last month.
His lawyer, Josh Lucas, asked for name suppression to continue as reports were still being carried out to determine the man’s fitness to stand trial and whether he had a defence of insanity.
Justice Cameron Mander said an interim name suppression order would continue. The accused is next due to appear in court on August 26.