Psychwatch threatened with legal action

A website that names and shames mental health providers and staff who breach codes of practice has been threatened with legal action.

Psychwatch New Zealand was set up by counsellor and mediator Steve Taylor to provide details of cases and name the providers and staff who have fallen short of the Commission's code of practice.

In a message on the site, Mr Taylor said some website content had been pulled after a letter was received from the Waitemata District Health Board and law firm Meredith Connell.

The website has been widely criticised by mental health service providers who said it could put mental health sufferers off getting help and discourage mental health practitioners staying in the profession.

DHB spokeswoman Bryony Hilless said the posting was seen as "defamatory" by the health board.

Mr Taylor has since posted a message saying the district health board has agreed to meet with him and the patient's family.

But Ms Hilless said the health board had offered to meet "on a number of occasions over the past months".

- NZHERALD STAFF