The mother of a man who took his own life says a Dunedin psychiatrist's proposed apology for shortcomings in his care was a "mocking response", and hurtful to the memory of her son.
Corinda Taylor said the apology letter was released to her by the Health and Disability Commissioner, which had rejected it. Dr Richard Mullen has submitted a second apology to the authority for approval. The HDC declined to confirm those details. The rejected apology, released to Mrs Taylor under the Official Information Act, is just four sentences long.
"The HDC has directed that I apologise to you. I am therefore writing to you to apologise for the findings made by the commissioner," Dr Mullen's rejected apology reads.
Earlier this year, the HDC ordered both Dr Mullen and the Southern District Health Board to apologise to the Taylor family after finding shortcomings in Ross Taylor's care. Mr Taylor was 20 when he died in 2013.
DHB mental health medical director Dr Brad Strong said Dr Mullen had written another apology.
