Hasn’t the Health & Disability Commissioner been a busy boy?

It is indeed heartening to see HDC head Ron Patterson and his crew finally entering  into the spirit of the legitimate “naming and shaming” of practitioners who breach fundamental standards of best practice with vulnerable clients.

First, there was the Palmerston North Medical Centre:

http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/palms-doctors-named-and-shamed-2961691

then there was the Counsellor who was fond of sleeping with his clients who were suffering from sexual abuse issues:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2845236/Counsellor-seen-as-serious-risk-to-public

and now we have the Psychiatric nurse and former Higher Ground Alcohol & Drug Centre supervisor who was struck off for having over 200 hard core images of child porn on his computer:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10597489

It would appear that Mr Patterson has at long last realised just how devastatingly effective his role can be when he shines a long overdue torch into the recesses of the mental health and clinical care industries. In doing so, the health and safety of the mental health consumer is enhanced, as is the accountability of practitioners within the industry.

This outcome has got to be a good one.

Inquest Finding: Fisher v ADHB (Te Whetu Tawera)

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10566068

Psychwatch USA

http://psychwatch.blogspot.com/

Lake Alice Hospital Information Website

www.lakealicehospital.com

Invitation to Mental Health Documentary Exhibition – TelstraClear Pacific Centre, Manukau, Auckland

Invitation to Exhibition

A documentary-style human rights exhibition on mental health is showing at the TesltraClear Pacific Centre 20-23 Dec 2008.

 

Special free viewing of this educational exhibit has been made available in South Auckland for Pacific and Maori organisations, people working in government agencies, the community, as well as interested public.

This is a rare opportunity to look into the big questions surrounding unexplained violence and suicide, depression, behavioural and other mental health issues…  Interviews with more than 160 doctors, lawyers, educators, parents and other experts in the 14 documentaries and display panels reveal historical and contemporary information that anyone interested in children and our future, needs to see.

 

We look forward to seeing you there.  FREE Admission.

 

(Please note that there is a R18 restriction on the documentaries)                        

Steve Green
Executive Director
Citizens Commission on Human Rights
PO Box 5257
Wellesley St
Auckland
Ph/Fax: (09) 580 0060
0800 777 555
www.cchr.org.nz

cchr@xtra.co..nz

A classic example of everything that is wrong with WDHB Mental Health Services.

I recently had cause to write to a WDHB Psychiatrist, and the Team Leader of the WDHB Mental Health Consumer Liaison Team (you know, the team that is supposed to represent and advocate the interests of mental health clients to the WDHB), to seek some information regarding support services for mental health clients.

This is the response I received to my email from the WDHB:

Your message To: Ana Sokratov (WDHB) Cc: Camelia Ichim (WDHB) Subject: Consumer Services & Mental Health Groups Sent: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:38:27 +1300 was deleted without being read on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:40:04 +1300

Says it all really, doesn’t it?

Steve Taylor

Request for QC to take a case against the Health & Disability Commission

Psychwatch NZ have received a formal request to publish the following:

“We are looking for a QC in Auckland who would be prepared to take a case against the Health & Disability Commission regarding our experience with Mental Health services, and the subsequent HDC investigation. Could you please publish this request on your website.”

Yes, Psychwatch NZ is happy to publish this request – so if you are a QC who would like to explore the possibility oif taking this case, please email 24-7@maxnet.co.nz to secure the contact details of the above family.

Steve Taylor

“Prisons system more help to us than Mental Health Services” says distressed family

Note to Media: The contact details and evidentary information pertaining to this case are available, subject to client consent:

Ours is another sad story, our son was in the care of Hillmorton Hospital and although we had pleaded on several occasions that he was suicidal, it fall on deaf ears.

 

He left the grounds and tried to commit suicide by way of pouring petrol on himself at a service station and trying to set fire to himself. He was placed into the forensic unit for 11 months and has now been in Jail for 6 months. We have fought to get him into rehab but this has all been in vain.

 

He was declined applications from 2 supported accommodation places in Christchurch. Although he is stable now their excuse was the risk factor and that he was not recovery focused enough, the other did not even give him the courtesy of an interview.

 

There is a lot more to this story and once again no one ever held accountable. We wrote a letter of complaint to the Health and Disability Commissioner and even though the internal report from Hillmorton acknowledged faults on their part the complaint also fall on deaf ears.

 

We have been made to look like a family who over-reacts to situations and in fact the Prison has been of more help to us than the Mental Health Services.

Lake Alice Patients still awaiting compensation.

Email Steve Green at cchr@xtra.co.nz for a copy of the latest article, featured in the National Business Review. The website at www.cchr.org.nz is also featuring an Auckland exhibition entitled “Human Rights and Psychiatry”, with an R18 restricted access to the exhibition.

Meredith Connell link with the Coroners Office?

A source has recently advised me that one of the three Auckland Coroners is a woman by the name of Morag McDowall. Apparently, Ms McDowall worked for Meredith Connell Lawyers between 1997 – 2001.

Meredith Connell is the law firm that attempted to have me struck from the speaking register at an upcoming Coroners meeting where I will be speaking on issues relating to the appalling state of New Zealands Mental Health Services. Why is this important you ask?

Because Ms McDowall also happens to be Mrs Skipworth – the wife of the former Deputy Director of Mental Health, Dr Jeremy Skipworth.

Can someone spell “conflict of interest” for me?