NSW Labor is calling for an urgent parliamentary inquiry into the state’s mental health services after footage emerged of a woman who was neglected in care and later died. A coronial inquest has been investigating the death of the mental health patient, mother-of-two Miriam Merten, who fell and hit her head at least 20 times at Lismore Base Hospital in 2014. Disturbing footage released as part of the inquest shows Ms Merten stumbling around the hospital, naked, covered in faeces and falling at least 20 times while she was allegedly in the care of two nurses in the early hours of June 3, 2014. Ms Merten died the following day as a result of the brain injuries she sustained. Coroner Jeff Linden found it was “inconceivable that the nature and number of falls were not observed” by the two nurses supposed to be caring for her.
