Healthcare Otago's mental health consumer adviser - at the centre of a whistle-blowing investigation - has resigned and taken a grievance claim to the Employment Tribunal.
Healthcare Otago suspended adviser Liz Heenan on July 12, the day before comments made to the Otago Daily Times were published, highlighting overburdened mental health wards, illicit drug use, stressed staff and patient suicide.
Chief executive Bill Adam said yesterday that Ms Heenan had been "the subject of a disciplinary inquiry for making unauthorised statements to the press about general conditions within the mental health service and about the care of a specific patient."
He said no decision on the case had been made by Healthcare Otago at the time of Ms Heenan's resignation.
"Healthcare Otago offered Ms Heenan the opportunity for continuing employment. Ms Heenan chose to resign," Dr Adam said.
Ms Heenan's lawyer, Marie Grills, said: "She tendered her resignation on the grounds of constructive dismissal and left Healthcare Otago."
Ms Heenan, aged 43, had applied to the Employment Tribunal, under the Employment Contracts Act, to have the claim heard.
- NZPA
Whistle-blower leaves Healthcare Otago job
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