this curious life

A doctor who treated boarding house residents where six mentally ill residents died is suspended, leaving authorities scrambling for replacement services.

Appalling medical 'care' and double standards for rights of tenants with mental illnesses may now be addressed after too many deaths................

'Licensed boarding houses are private businesses that run for a profit and accommodate people with disabilities who choose their own medical practitioners, except those under guardianship.

A Background Briefing program on RN in June heard that there had been 20 complaints to the department about the boarding house but it was local police officers - not the department - who went to the coroner.

Five of the six residents who died at 300 Hostel were Dr Reitberger's patients.

'[The Coroner] Ms Jerram recommended the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists review the deaths and the use of multiple anti-psychotics to establish protocols for prescription and monitoring the general health of patients.

But when contacted for comment, the college did not know of the inquest or its recommendation.'