Mental patient's father stunned by health board comments

A Queenstown man says he is stunned by "heartless and offensive" comments from the Southland District Health Board over investigations into his son's treatment.

Trevor Burton's wife, Paddy, was stabbed to death in the family's Queenstown home in 2001 by their mentally ill son Mark the day after he was formally released from the Southland Hospital mental health unit.

The eighth inquiry involving hospital staff has begun. The latest inquiry is being conducted by the Health and Disability Commissioner's independent legal officer, Morag McDowell.

On Thursday, health board chairman Dennis Cairns said continued legal action and investigations over the Burton tragedy had become almost farcical. He also came close to accusing Ms McDowell of harassing staff at the mental health unit.

Mr Burton said he was hurt and "pissed off" when he read the comments.

He agreed the tragedy and its legal repercussions were dragging on.

"I'm sorry for them. Poor them. Well, they'll just have to wait a bit longer.

"I'm sorry for us. For our family, there is no end. This tragedy is forever, it will never end."

Mr Burton said words failed him when he read that staff at the mental health unit were unhappy at being contacted by Ms McDowell during work hours.

"For God's sake, it's right that she should ring them at work. That's where they are, that's where she can find them. She's doing her job. She's asking for witnesses like you'd do in any legal action."

Ms McDowell disputed the board and staff claims that they were being harassed.

"Any contact with staff has been made in relation to disciplinary proceedings against individual health practitioners shortly to be heard before the relevant disciplinary tribunal."

All contact had been made entirely professionally and appropriately, she said.

- NZPA