An inquest into the death of teenager Ahlia Raftery in a Newcastle mental health unit in March 2015 has led to recommendations to improve patient care and help prevent future tragedies. Ms Raftery had only just turned 18 when she took her own life in the Mater Mental Health Centre’s intensive care unit during a deep depressive episode. The coronial inquest into her death has identified a number of specific shortcomings in Ms Raftery’s care and “areas which suggest that there is scope for improvement in general mental health care”. Deputy state coroner Derek Lee has made seven recommendations to the Hunter New England Health District to improve policies, nurse training, record keeping and communication between staff.
