Cumberland: Security boosted for beleaguered mental health hospital
Changes are coming for Australia's largest mental health hospital after fatal incidents allegedly involving absconding patients.
Independent oversight and bolstered security are being implemented to rebuild public confidence in an embattled mental health facility.
A string of patients have absconded from Cumberland Hospital in Sydney’s west in recent weeks, with two allegedly involved in the deaths of three people.
Setefano Mooniai Leaaetoa, 25, absconded from care and allegedly mounted a murderous stabbing spree last week.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Another patient, Luke Peter Francis, 31, reportedly fled after threatening a nurse and taking her access card, before he was allegedly involved in a police pursuit that left two women dead on February 14.
Official data suggests the hospital, which deals with the most acute cases statewide, loses patients at three times the rate of other mental health units.
Concerns about security for patients and the community will be addressed by a new independent oversight body to run the hospital, the mental health minister announced on Wednesday.
Two round-the-clock security guards will be added to the facility, bringing the constant onsite number to six.
Sweeping changes were needed to ensure people can trust in the quality and safety of care being delivered, the minister said.
“It’s a comprehensive response that is called for in the circumstances,” Rose Jackson told reporters.
“We need to make sure that we’re thoroughly investigating this ... and any potential failures.”
The review comes two years after security concerns at the hospital were raised, leading the opposition to accuse Labor of inaction.
Staffing also remained an issue, with psychiatry positions vacant, but NSW chief psychiatrist Murray Wright said staff retention was improving.
He defended the need to use mental health laws to involuntarily detain some patients in units such as Cumberland.
The review will assess the suitability of the state mental health act, last overhauled in 2007.
“The most challenging experiences are cases of people who have a mental illness and a severe substance abuse problem,” Dr Wright said.
About 200 in-patient admissions in NSW since July 1 have absconded, at an average of six per week, while about 20,000 mental health in-patient admissions have occurred in that time.
Ms Jackson acknowledged advocates’ alarm over the severe underfunding of community-level supports capable of diverting people away from acute care.
Fixing that was also a priority, the minister said.
“Community mental health care has historically been one of the under-resourced parts of the system,” Ms Jackson said.
“We’ve been directing resources into that space, and we’re going to continue to do until it is available for people with their families and their communities.”
