Overview
- NSW Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright will lead a panel of senior mental‑health experts to directly oversee the facility and conduct a comprehensive review.
- Onsite security has been increased to six guards at all times, with on‑site procedures under review following multiple recent abscondings.
- The review will examine hospital security and the use of Section 19b diversion orders that send some defendants from court into inpatient psychiatric care.
- Authorities report three deaths in two separate incidents allegedly linked to absconded patients, including a Merrylands stabbing and a fatal crash following a police pursuit.
- Cumberland remains open during the transition period, officials note its absconding rate is far higher than other units, and the most recent absconder was returned by police.