Mental health chiefs on the North Shore will review assessment practice after an "error of clinical judgment" led to the escape of a dangerous patient.
Dave Davies, general manager of mental health services at Waitemata District Health Board, said Scott Dickson's escape was not the result of a security breach.
The 35-year-old patient climbed a fence and fled the acute Taharoto mental health unit in Takapuna about 9.30pm on Saturday, sparking a police hunt.
He was found by friends and returned to the unit yesterday morning.
Mr Davies said Dickson, who had been admitted to Taharoto two weeks ago displaying psychotic symptoms, was being moved from the acute ward to an open ward after progressing well in his treatment.
Security was well controlled, Mr Davies said, and the escape was unusual.
"It's more to do with the clinical assessment of where a person should be treated.
"Usually it's spot on, but on this occasion there has been an error of clinical judgment and we will hold an internal review to see what we can learn from it."
