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Health chiefs are investigating how a patient was able to leap from the roof of Tauranga's mental health unit, seriously injuring himself.
Bay of Plenty District Health Board chief operating officer Graham Dyer confirmed the man gained access to the roof of the single-storey building by climbing a drainpipe about five weeks ago. "He jumped before anyone could intervene."
The man, believed to be in his 20s, was transferred to Waikato Hospital and has been discharged.
"This kind of incident is highly upsetting for our team and a thorough review of his care is being undertaken," said Dyer.
"There are always lessons to be learned. These have been carefully reviewed by staff and some changes implemented already."
Another patient of the unit said he was concerned the man was not supervised closely enough. He said the patient was admitted the previous day with neck burns and was checked every 15 minutes.
On the day of the incident he was trying to harm himself. "He should have been watched constantly."
Dyer said the patient who jumped had a complex illness and was admitted on a voluntary basis, meaning the facility could not legally restrain him.
He was thoroughly assessed when he arrived and again the following day, when he seemed more settled.
The case is the latest in a string of incidents involving claims of inappropriate treatment of mental health patients. A group led by Auckland nurse Sally Fisher, whose 26-year-old son Shane killed himself in 2006, organised a petition calling for a national inquiry, which was presented to National MP Sandra Goudie before the election.
New Health Minister Tony Ryall said he was aware of problems in mental health services and would look seriously at the issue by March.
