Health board sued over Burton killing

Southland District Health Board and a doctor who discharged paranoid schizophrenic Mark Burton from a mental health unit the day before he killed his mother are to be taken to the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

Health and Disability Commission proceedings director Morag McDowell yesterday said she was issuing civil proceedings against the board and a former Invercargill medical officer over the 2001 incident.

A nurse involved in his care also faces disciplinary action.