Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Tragic Fall Highlights Emergency Department Staffing Crisis

11/11/2025

49 9

Summary

Story summary

Leonard Collett died at Taranaki Base Hospital after a fall while waiting for a wheelchair.
Coroner Ian Telford ruled that the death resulted from cardiac arrest caused by injuries from the fall.
Collett was at high fall risk.
Emergency department staffing shortages left only 18% of nurses performing falls risk assessments.
HNZ Taranaki has begun implementing policy changes in response.

1 of 1

Story summary

Leonard Collett died at Taranaki Base Hospital after a fall while waiting for a wheelchair.
Coroner Ian Telford ruled that the death resulted from cardiac arrest caused by injuries from the fall.
Collett was at high fall risk.
Emergency department staffing shortages left only 18% of nurses performing falls risk assessments.
HNZ Taranaki has begun implementing policy changes in response.