The father of a patient who died in Waikato DHB's care believes mental health services across the country are broken, and only a change in culture can prevent further deaths.

An investigation was partly prompted by the death of 21-year-old Nicky Stevens, while he was an in-patient at Waikato Hospital's Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre, which looks after people with mental illness.

He was found dead in the river three days after departing the centre on unescorted leave.

The review by director of medical health Dr John Crawshaw has found the DHB's mental health services are understaffed, but provide appropriate care.

Nicky Stevens' father Dave MacPherson, however, believes the review white-washes over problems at Waikato DHB and other district health boards around the country.

"Around the country people are waiting up to five or six years for answers about what happened to their family members...it's not good enough," he said.

MacPherson said the review overlooks serious underlying issues at the DHB, where "families like ours and others are excluded from being involved in the treatment, where patients are allowed to wander around outside unsupervised."

Are you affected by an issues in this article? Here's where to get help:
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
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• CASPER Suicide Prevention
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