25 Jan 2023

Report on death at Palmerston North mental health ward finds failures

From Morning Report, 8:48 am on 25 January 2023

A report into a 19-year-old patient who died in a suspected suicide at Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward has identified failures in his care.

His death was seven years after two patients died in suspected suicides - prompting reviews that found the ward unfit for purpose.

But a new ward is not due to open for another two years. 

Manawatū reporter Jimmy Ellingham has more.