Legal moves may keep report under wraps

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 7

Legal moves may keep report under wraps

PA Wellington The Minister of Health, Mr Caygill, plans to release the Mason report into psychiatric hospitals next Monday, but fears legal moves in the meantime may keep it under wraps. . Some senior officers of the Auckland Hospital Board, who are expected to be heavily criticised in the report, will apply for a court injunction to prevent publication. The report is expected to have wider ramifications than the recent

cervical cancer inquiry. Its publication has already been delayed twice — the first time because it was thought parts of it could have influenced an impending court case, and 10 days ago after accusations that some people had their views misrepre'sented. A spokeswoman for Mr Caygill said the Crown Law Office had given the Minister legal opinion on the concerns over the report. But, she said, the Minister did not want to edit the report and

wanted it published as soon as possible. It was usual to give those involved an early look at reports as a matter of courtesy. But it was “highly likely” that this would now lead to problems and the Minister "would not be surprised” if there were further delays. The inquiry, headed by Mr , Ken Mason, a South Auckland District Court judge, was ordered after a former psychiatric patient stabbed four people, killing two, in June, 1987.