Mum shocked ADHB services unchanged after death of son in Samoa

The mother of a psychiatric patient who died in a Samoan prison is shocked the Auckland DHB hasn't adopted a coronial recommendation to improve its services. Hans Dalton's body was found in a 200 litre water drum in Samoa's Tafa'igata prison on Boxing Day in 2012. A coroner couldn't determine how he died but recommended the Auckland DHB develop a protocol so patients' families know the risk of travelling to countries with limited services. The DHB hasn't acted on the advice, saying it it would require extensive research to assess the capabilities of foreign mental health services and the matter is best dealt with by doctors talking to clients on a case by case basis. Mr Dalton's mother Christine Wilson told our reporter Anneke Smith knowing the limitations of Samoa's mental health services could have saved his life.