DHB failed man attempting to turn life around

Jerry John Jack Korewha, 48, died in Wellington Hospital on March 30, 2009 after being hit by a car on Rimutaka Hill, north of Upper Hutt. Photo / Supplied

A Wellington psychiatrist has condemned Hutt Valley District Health Board (HVDHB) for its allegedly poor treatment of a former gang member trying to turn his life around.

Jerry John Jack Korewha, 48, died in Wellington Hospital on March 30, 2009 after being hit by a car on Rimutaka Hill, north of Upper Hutt.

In the weeks leading up to his death, Mr Korewha completed a period of home detention for a drink-driving conviction and quit the Mongrel Mob Rogue Chapter, based in Tauranga.

He had also begun drug and alcohol counselling.

In a report released today by Wellington Regional Coroner Ian Smith, Mr Korewha's partner, Suzanne Burt, said he seemed "quite normal" on the night of his death.

She said she was not aware of any mob reaction over his decision to quit gang life.

A police investigation into Mr Korewha's death found cigarettes and a lighter in roadside vegetation near the point of impact.

Following his home detention, Mr Korewha was referred to HVDHB for a drug and alcohol assessment.

Consultant psychiatrist Tom Flewett said the assessment suggested Mr Korewha was suffering from depression but the matter was never followed up.

"A simple check of Mr Korewha's medical records from his general practitioner would have highlighted that he had been diagnosed with chronic depression from September 2007," he said.

"For this patient not to have had further screening or a comprehensive assessment is not in line with any of the DHB's protocols and procedures.

"Without a comprehensive assessment, it is impossible to identify what would be the most appropriate form of treatment."

Dr Flewett said Mr Korewha's patient file also lacked important documentation, making it "completely and utterly inadequate".

"If this documentation is not available, it can only be assumed that there was a breakdown at the level of clinical governance and operational management which allowed for routine processes not to be followed."

HVDHB has since restructured its processes.

Mr Smith said Dr Flewett's scathing report "said it all" and he would not make any recommendations.

His formal finding was that Mr Korewha died as the result of being struck by a car but that the driver was not at fault.

- NZPA