Arabic version: مستشفى كمبرلاند يسجّل 14 حالة هروب إضافية للمرضى

According to ABC News, Cumberland Hospital in Sydney’s west recorded at least 14 further mental health patient absconding incidents after February, when two escapes were linked to the deaths of three people.

NSW Health mental health branch executive director Brendan Flynn told a budget estimates hearing there were four “type 1” cases in March, three in April, two each in May and June, and three in July. He said type 1 incidents involve someone leaving a facility, while type 2 incidents occur during escorted leave with health staff.

Dr Flynn said the reported figure equated to 0.5 absconding cases per 1,000 bed days, a rate he said was lower than elsewhere. Later, he told the hearing another health department branch had slightly different, lower figures and committed to provide them to parliament.

Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said a separate review led to changes including removal of loose furniture, pruning of tree branches and removal of downpipes to prevent people climbing onto the roof. Staff leave practices were reviewed, a risk assessment was completed, and security staffing was increased to six officers on day shifts and five at night.

Shadow Mental Health Minister Sarah Mitchell said it was alarming that patients continued to abscond regularly and argued the reviews had not produced a major reduction. The government has not released a Cabinet Office report into the February escapes, with Ms Jackson saying its contents would be subject to criminal proceedings.