<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An independent team of experts will manage Cumberland Hospital after a string of patients absconding from the facility resulted in the deaths of three people, including the fatal stabbing of a man in Sydney's west.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson made the decision after three men allegedly absconded from the mental health unit in as many weeks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Community safety is a top priority for our government and I am concerned that recent incidents at Cumberland Hospital undermine the sense of safety and security people rightly expect in the management of our mental health system," Jackson said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/inflation-australia-january-2026-cpi-interest-rates-implications/6b382a95-929e-4fda-9d88-1df3ed7cc0b0" target="_blank"><strong><span>Inflation comes in hotter than expected again, raising chance of interest rate hike</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A formal review into these recent incidents is under way, but because we want it to be a thorough process it will not be completed overnight."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A recently announced review of the facility is set to look into the treatment of patients, security protocols and its response to abscondings.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Cumberland Hospital has also been provided with additional security for the safety patients and staff.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/independent-oversight-team-appointed-at-cumberland-hospital/7cf269b6-cc0b-4dbb-9f52-31ffc1530bc6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Previously, there were four security guards overseeing all of Cumberland Hospital. There will now be six, including oversight from a senior officer.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The shift in management at the hospital comes after the widow of the victim of a random stabbing in Sydney's west last week claimed the negligence of NSW Health was responsible for his death.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His accused killer, Setefano Leaaetoa, was one of the three people to abscond from Cumberland's mental health unit.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Becky Ramadani blamed the health department, believing their lack of duty of care led to the death of her partner after he was allegedly murdered in a busy Merrylands street.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/anthony-albanese-evacuated-from-the-lodge-in-canberra-due-to-security-incident/998ef480-4ad4-4cba-a05c-859eed9d64e5" target="_blank"><strong><span>Anthony Albanese 'all good' after being evacuated from official residence in Canberra over security scare</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The negligence of the health department is responsible for this," she told 9News.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The hospital is set to close permanently at the end of next year following the opening of the new $540 million Westmead Integrated Mental Health complex.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We don't want people experiencing mental distress shunted away in small, isolated facilities. The new Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex will allow us to relocate patients into a modern, integrated network of health facilities," Jackson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>