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Waikato DHB withdraws call for second inquiry into Nicky Stevens' death, apologises to family

Nicky Stevens' family say they have received an apology from the Waikato District Health Board (DHB), whose care he was under at the time of his death.

The DHB has also withdrawn its complaint to about the Coroner's findings, which found the DHB at fault and said Stevens' death was avoidable.

The family says the DHB acknowledges the hurt and anguish they have suffered.

"We are glad to have finally reached agreement with the DHB, but we would not want any other family to have gone through what we've had to put up with in that time," Stevens' mother Jane Stevens said.

"Our son is no longer with us, but now we can remember him every day without inquiries, reviews, legal complaints and other formal processes looming over us."

Stevens died in March 2015 during a stay at the Henry Rongomau Bennett mental health facility. He was let outside alone, despite his family saying he shouldn't be left unsupervised.

In December 2018, Coroner Wallace Bain ruled his death a suicide that had been "avoidable" and the DHB didn't take the necessary steps to keep him safe.

Stevens' family provided a copy of the the apology in a statement, which references the way Stevens' leave from the hospital was managed.

"Waikato DHB wholeheartedly apologise for the poor management of Nicky's leave from the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre, and also for the poor communication with you as whanau, both of which as found by the Coroner, contributed to Nicky's death.

"Waikato DHB acknowledges the hurt and anguish you have suffered through Nicky's death and the various events and processes since that time. We are sorry for how much you have suffered and continue to suffer."

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