A psychiatrist who reviewed the care of a man who drowned after leaving the mental health unit at Waikato Hospital unsupervised stands by her criticism of the man's care.
Nicky Stevens' inquest is under way in Hamilton this week. Photo: Givealittle
An inquest opened on Wednesday in Hamilton for 21-year-old Nicholas Taiaroa Stevens, who was known as Nicky.
He walked out of the Waikato DHB's mental health unit - the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre - unsupervised in March 2015. His body was found four days later in the Waikato River.
Described as a philosopher, environmentalist, musician, artist and free-spirit, Mr Stevens first came under the wing of community mental health services in his teens.
He was diagnosed with disorganised schizophrenia.
In her report prepared for the Coroner, Dr Margaret Honeyman said all the markers of a high-risk of suicide were present but were ignored or at least given little significance.
In cross examination, the lawyer for one of the psychiatrists who looked after Mr Stevens suggested to Dr Honeyman that her report was based on hindsight and relied solely on reviewing clinical notes.
Dr Honeyman said that without being there, it was not possible to form a clinical impression apart from what was in a patient's clinical notes.
But Dr Honeyman's views have been contradicted by another psychiatrist.
Dr Murray Patton said the psychiatrist recognised Mr Stevens was unwell, but thought that an approach to his care was carefully considered.
The psychiatrist, who has name suppression, opened their evidence with a personal message of condolence to Mr Steven's whānau.
The lawyer representing the Stevens' family, Richard Fowler, told the witness that the family were grateful and touched by the psychiatrist's message.
The clinician, who has both name and gender suppression, told the inquest that unescorted leave given to sectioned mental health patients was consistent with allowing them to have a bit of control in the decision making around their treatment.
The psychiatrist believed they had a good rapport with Mr Stevens and that he did not try and manipulate his clinicians.
Mr Stevens' lead psychiatrist did not accept Dr Honeyman's criticism of the care provided to Mr Stevens.
The inquest before Dr Wallace Bain continues through until Friday.
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