Investigation underway following death at Whangarei Hospital (Joint statement from Police and Northland DHB)

JOINT STATEMENT FROM POLICE AND NORTHLAND DHB

Police statement:

Attribute to Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmid, Northland CIB

Police are investigating the death of a man following an incident at Whangarei Hospital overnight.

At around 9.52pm, Police were called to the mental health unit to assist with an unrelated incident.

While Police staff were attending that incident, another patient in the ward assaulted a staff member.

The man was restrained by Police and hospital staff.

The man became unresponsive and CPR was carried out by hospital staff.

Unfortunately the man died shortly after midnight.

Acting Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmid from Northland CIB says Police are now investigating this incident and we are working with the Northland DHB to determine what exactly has taken place.

“A scene examination is currently underway and as part of our enquiries, Police will be talking to those involved at the scene as well as any witnesses to this incident to establish what has occurred,” says Detective Inspector Schmid.

A post-mortem examination will be taking place tomorrow.

Police are working closely with the family of the deceased and we are providing them with victim support. We are also providing support to our staff who attended the incident.

Police have also notified the IPCA and WorkSafe NZ.
ENDS

Northland DHB Statement:

Attribute to Ian McKenzie, General Manager, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Northland DHB

Last evening, 14 November, a man who had recently been in the emergency department at Whangarei Hospital passed away in the Tumanako inpatient unit whilst being restrained, subsequent to an assault on a staff member.

Attempts to resuscitate were not successful. 

Police, security and clinical staff were in attendance.

An external investigation will be undertaken and the death has been referred to the coroner who will determine the cause of death.

Our thoughts are with members of the whānau at this time.
ENDS

Nick Baker/NZ Police

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