Mental health patients still absconding despite recent fatal incidents
Mental health patients at Cumberland Hospital in Sydney's west have absconded more than a dozen times since February, when two patient escapes were linked to the deaths of three people.
Since February, at least 14 mental health patients have absconded from Cumberland Hospital, following two incidents linked to the deaths of three individuals, according to NSW Health official Brendan Flynn. The rate of absconding cases stands at 0.5 per 1,000 bed days, lower than other regions. Despite this, the shadow minister for mental health, Sarah Mitchell, deems the situation alarming, as there has been no significant reduction in absconding cases.
The NSW government conducted a security review post the February incidents, with Premier Chris Minns acknowledging something had gone terribly wrong. Flynn later revealed at least 14 additional absconding cases had occurred since February, including four type 1 cases in March, three in April, two in May and June, and three in July.
Type 1 refers to patients leaving facilities, such as through air locks or roofs, while type 2 involves escorted leave with health staff. Flynn also mentioned the figures from another health department branch were slightly different but lower, but not significantly. Shadow Mental Health Minister Mitchell criticized the government's reviews for not resulting in a major reduction in absconding incidents, highlighting the failure to address underlying issues.
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