Rehtaeh Parsons is shown in a handout photo from the Facebook tribute page "Angel Rehtaeh." THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Facebook
December 11, 2013 - 1:05 AM
HALIFAX - An independent expert appointed by the Nova Scotia government to review mental health programs and policies at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax in the aftermath of the Rehtaeh Parsons case is to release her report today.
Jana Davidson, an expert from British Columbia, was appointed after an earlier report into the case raised concerns about the hospital.
She has also been asked to examine procedures within the Capital District Health Authority and make recommendations to address gaps in treatment and counselling services for young people who are suicidal.
The report was initially expected by the end of September but Davidson was given more time to complete it.
Davidson has said she will not read the specifics of what happened in the Parsons case or interview people who treated her.
Provincial officials have said there are legal restrictions preventing reviewers from looking at specific patient cases _ even if a single case provokes the review.
Rehtaeh Parsons family alleges she was sexually assaulted by four boys and a digital photograph of the incident was passed around her school.
The 17-year-old girl hanged herself in April and was taken off life-support three days later.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013