The parents of Nicky Stevens, who died in March 2015 while in the care of Waikato DHB, will be presenting their case for legal support for their family today at the DHB’s Board meeting, starting at 1pm (Public session, Hockin House, Waikato Hospital campus).
The family’s request comes after the DHB announced recently it would be trying to reopen the Coroner’s Inquest into their son’s death, and to get a new Coroner.
In December, Coroner Wallace Bain issued final findings following the June 2018 Inquest, that were critical of the DHB’s care for Nicky, a compulsory patient, and stated that his death was “avoidable”.
Board Chair Sally Webb had told the family in a letter last week that they would not be allowed to present their case, as their request was “premature”. She had advised them to make all contact with the DHB through their lawyer.
Four years after their son’s death, Nicky’s parents told Ms Webb that they would be attending and presenting anyway.
