Report on an announced follow up inspection of the Inpatient Mental Health Unit - Southland Hospital

Background

Ombudsmen are designated as one of the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 (COTA), with responsibility for examining and monitoring the conditions and treatment of patients detained in secure units within New Zealand hospitals.

My role is to form an independent opinion as to the conditions and treatment in these places, report my observations and if necessary make recommendations for improvement.

From 24 January 2023, three Inspectors – whom I have authorised to carry out visits to places of detention under the COTA on my behalf – made an announced four-day inspection to the Inpatient Mental Health Unit at Southland Hospital to follow up on recommendations made following my previous inspection in 2019.

While this inspection was primarily concerned with establishing progress made against my 2019 recommendations, I have also commented on several new issues of concern.

Summary

The Inpatient Mental Health Unit (the Unit) is a 16-bed acute adult inpatient unit providing assessment and treatment of people experiencing acute mental health issues, who are unable to be cared for safely in a community environment. The Unit is a mixed-gender facility, located in the grounds of Southland Hospital, Invercargill.

My April 2019 inspection resulted in 10 recommendations. The Unit accepted eight, partially accepted one, and rejected one.

At my 2023 follow up inspection, only one of my 2019 recommendations was achieved. Nine were not achieved. Of the nine recommendations not achieved, progress was being made towards achieving just two recommendations.

Feedback process

At the time of my 2019 inspection, the Unit was under the management of the Southern District Health Board (the DHB). Throughout this report there are references to the DHB. However, where appropriate, references are made to Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, as the responsible agency at the time of the follow up inspection.

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, and the Ministry of Health received a copy of my provisional report and were invited to comment. I received responses and I have considered their feedback when preparing my final report.