An inquest into the death of a man who went missing for three months after absconding from Calvary Hospital will scrutinise the police searches for him, court documents revealed on Monday.
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Tahadesse 'Tad' Kahsai, 61, was receiving treatment for alcohol withdrawal when he walked from the hospital on December 30, 2015, reportedly agitated and disoriented.
His family led a missing person campaign, pleading publicly for any information that would help find him.
But it was not until three months later when his body was discovered, in bushland about three kilometres from the hospital doors.
At a directions hearing on Monday, Coroner Beth Campbell set down the dates of April 10 to 13 next year to hear from witnesses.
An issues paper, seen by the Canberra Times, reveals the inquest will look at the manner and cause of Mr Kahsai's death, the circumstances of his leaving the public hospital, the notification to police, and the police searches.
The issues will include generally his diagnosis and treatment plan, any mental state assessments of Mr Kahsai before his leaving the hospital and any possible mechanisms that were available to restrain him.
The examination of the police searches will include the thoroughness of the first physical search of Mr Kahsai's residence, the handover of investigation and case officer protocol and the delayed deployment of search and rescue teams, the issues paper says.
The ACT Coroner's Court will also hear about any potential recommendations in relation to matters of public safety in relation to these matters.
The hearing begins April 10.
