Mental health patient missing in NSW

A man has gone missing from a psychiatric hospital north of Sydney, the third patient to disappear from the same facility in just four months.

A search is under way for Anthony McEntyre, 41, after he left a hospital in Morisset, near Newcastle, about 10am (AEST) on Friday, police said.

The duty officer at Toronto Police, Inspector Darryn Cox, told AAP that it was believed he was on day release and was due to return at 5pm (AEST).

Police were then told of disappearance about six hours later.

Inspector Cox said police held concerns for the man’s welfare, but for the general community at this stage.

His disappearance comes after former Sydney waiter, Trent Jennings, went missing from the same facility in late December last year.

Jennings had been locked up in a secure ward in 2005, then aged 20, after admitting to stabbing Giuseppe Vitale, a man he met online, whom he tied up during a sex game at a Sydney park in 2003.

He was found not guilty of murdering Mr Vitale on the grounds of mental illness, but was ordered to remain in a psychiatric hospital.

After five days on the run, Jennings was arrested after being spotted sleeping in a car at Byron Bay, on the state’s far north coast.

In March, Jacob McDonald, 41, a patient at the same facility also went missing when he went on a toilet break.

Police were notified about 90 minutes later and mounted a search.

NSW opposition spokesman for health Andrew MacDonald said it appeared the same thing had happened again.

“The minister guaranteed us that this would never happen again,” Mr MacDonald told Macquarie Radio on Saturday night.

“Yet it appears that yet again another patient has been allowed to go missing from Morisset Hospital.

“The minister needs to explain exactly what has happened, explained why it has happened again.”

Mr McEntyre is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall and of solid build.

He has brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information about Mr McEntyre’s whereabouts should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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