Orange man Robert Nixon is considering his legal options after a review into his son’s death identified gaps in mental health services.
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In April last year, Mr Nixon’s son Joshua presented to Orange Health Service’s Bloomfield campus suffering from severe depression and drug addiction.
No bed was available and later assessed over the phone to be admitted a week later. However, the day before he to be admitted, he took his own life.
A clinical review into Joshua Nixon’s death found his assessment should have been more thorough, but his father doesn’t have any faith in the recommendations the report presented.
Robert Nixon said extra signs and changes to non-government organisations’ accountability wasn’t enough.
“They don’t really recommend any significant changes,” Robert Nixon said.
“I would like to see NSW Health take over drug and alcohol treatment from Lyndon Community Health so the service can be delivered properly.”
Lyndon Community CEO Ed Zarnow declined to comment as a result of pending legal action.
In a statement, NSW Mental Health Minister Pru Goward said her office had spoken to Robert Nixon to arrange a meeting.
“My heart goes out to the Nixon family and I am very sorry for the loss of Joshua,” Ms Goward said.
“I have read the clinical review and the resulting recommendations, which were all supported and are being progressed by the local health district.”
Robert Nixon said he was keen to meet Ms Goward.
“I’m interested to hear what the minister has to say, I’ve been waiting for a long time to sit down and talk to her,” he said.
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