Man’s death illustrates challenges of complex care across the South Island

Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no relationship to the person’s actual name.

1. The Coroner referred a complaint to this Office regarding the death of Mr B, who was aged 19 years at the time of the events. Mr B passed away unexpectedly after suffering complications related to a postoperative wound infection, following removal of tumours related to type 2 neurofibromatosis. Mr B’s parents are concerned that Health New Zealand|Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) did not provide reasonable care to Mr B. This report focuses on the key concerns raised by Mr B’s family relating to the standard of neurosurgery care and adequacy of the information provided to them.
2. I express my sincere condolences to Mr B’s family on his passing.