The Wireless

Ward 420

09:13 am on 30 December 2013

The Hutt Valley District Health Board says there is little it can do to reduce cannabis getting into its mental health unit.

A former patient has spoken out, saying cannabis is regularly used by patients and it's often smoked only metres from a nursing station.

Lyn Copland, whose son is in the unit, spoke out last week claiming patients had regular access to recreational drugs because the unit is understaffed.

Now a former patient, who won't be named, says cannabis was readily available in the unit, with one patient taking orders and delivering marijuana to others in the ward.

Hutt Valley District Health Board chief executive Graham Dyer says visitors caught with drugs get a trespass notice, but patients who are caught are likely to be put under tighter security.