24 May 2019

'A sad state of affairs' - Nicky Stevens' mum shocked at DHB

From Morning Report, 6:09 am on 24 May 2019

The family of a young man who died in care are pleading with the Waikato District Health Board not to challenge the coroner's findings into his death.

Nicky Stevens was found in Waikato River three days after he walked out of Waikato Hospital's mental health unit in 2015.

A coroner ruled that the 21-year-old's death was a preventable suicide, but the DHB has questioned the findings and called for another coroner to look at the case.

His family met with the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday, and on Thursday met the DHB's commissioner, Karen Poutasi.

His mother Jane Stevens told RNZ reporter Matthew Theunissen that if the health board refuses to accept accountability and another inquest is held, it'll be devastating.