Two Escapes, Three Deaths: Questions Mount Over NSW Mental Health System
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has stated that serious failures have occurred within the state’s mental health system, following two separate escapes from Cumberland Hospital within a 24-hour period. Tragically, both incidents are linked to alleged homicides, with a total of three people losing their lives and others sustaining critical injuries.
The Western Sydney Local Health District has confirmed that a 31-year-old man, accused of causing a fatal car crash that killed two women in Camden on February 14th, had escaped from Cumberland Hospital six days prior to the incident. Luke Peter Francis, as he is understood to be known, was being held involuntarily under the NSW Mental Health Act. Reports indicate he allegedly overpowered and threatened a nurse, stole an access card, and absconded from care on February 8th.
In a separate, equally disturbing event, health authorities confirmed that Setefano Mooniai Leaaetoa, 25, accused of a stabbing spree in Merrylands on Tuesday that resulted in one death and two critical injuries, had also escaped from the same hospital. His escape occurred approximately 10 days before the alleged attack. Court documents reveal Mr. Leaaetoa had been placed in mental health custody on February 5th. The health district stated he escaped care while being transferred from Cumberland Hospital to the emergency department at Westmead Hospital.
NSW Police have confirmed they were notified of both escapes immediately.
Patient Sighted, But Not Apprehended
Compounding concerns, police sources have informed the ABC that Mr. Francis, who now faces charges over the double-fatal collision, was reportedly sighted in Sydney’s south just two days after his escape from the hospital. However, officers did not apprehend him. This was reportedly because his patient status had been updated from “absconder” to “discharged” by the time they encountered him.
NSW Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson explained to ABC Radio Sydney that it is standard procedure for the status of an involuntary patient to be automatically updated if they have not been assessed for more than 24 hours. Ms. Jackson expressed her view that police should have had the authority to bring Mr. Francis back for assessment, particularly if he was on parole at the time.
“In this individual’s circumstance, we don’t have all the information,” Ms. Jackson stated. “I am of the view that police would have and should have had the power to bring this individual back in for assessment, and if that didn’t happen for some reason and there is a way we can clarify that, absolutely we will do it.” The ABC understands that police are currently investigating the extent of their powers to arrest Mr. Francis in such situations.
Lessons to Be Learned, System Under Scrutiny
Premier Minns articulated his deep concern regarding both incidents on Thursday, emphasising that the state’s mental health system is fundamentally designed to ensure the safety of both the public and patients.
“NSW Health is treating more people with psychiatric illnesses… than ever before and the vast majority of those cases end up with the community [being kept] safe, the individual getting help that they need,” Mr. Minns remarked. “But this one has gone badly wrong, and we need to make sure that we’re learning the lessons from it.”
A formal review has also been initiated to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr. Leaaetoa’s escape from care.
“This is a deeply distressing, deeply distressing situation and I feel terrible for the family members of those that have been affected and the family of the man that was killed,” the Premier added, expressing his profound sympathy for the victims and their families.
Decades of Underinvestment Cited
Nick Howson, the president of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association’s Cumberland branch and a nurse at Cumberland Hospital, has voiced long-standing concerns from medical staff, asserting that the mental health system has been “broken” for years. He attributed this to decades of “underinvestment” by both Labor and Liberal governments.
“You’re looking at one of the largest precincts physically [in NSW],” Mr. Howson explained. “There’s three security staff to cover every single eventuality. And outside of hours, they’re the ones doing the transport of patients with us as well. There’s not enough people to go around.” He continued, “It’s just been brewing in the background for a very long time and people only pay attention when something tragic happens.”
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Mitchell echoed these sentiments, arguing that the state’s mental health system has seen no tangible improvement, even in the wake of numerous reviews, including recent coronial findings related to the Bondi Junction stabbing attack.
“These are some of the most vulnerable people who deserve to be looked after and, frankly, when you see innocent victims, it’s heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what is going through the minds of the families who have lost loved ones over the last few days,” Ms. Mitchell stated.
Earlier this month, a coroner recommended that the NSW government collaborate with NSW Health to address the decline in mental health outreach services and to tackle the critical need for accommodation in the greater Sydney area for individuals experiencing mental health issues and homelessness. Premier Minns confirmed that the government is currently assessing the relevant recommendations stemming from that inquest.
