The Department of Corrections and its medical staff have been slammed for failing to diagnose a woman who was dying with gastric cancer.
A report from the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner out today has found the prisoner's care was seriously deficient.
Over a six month period the prisoner complained to several nurses and two doctors about a burning throat, stomach gas, nausea and eventually black vomit.
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By the time her vomit was black the woman was in a wheelchair and described her pain as "10 out of 10" reports NZME.
When she was transferred to hospital in 2016 she was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer causing a near complete obstruction of the outlet to her stomach.
She died the following year.
The Department has since engaged a nursing educator to up skill staff, and has commissioned an independent review.
Newshub.
