We don't want anyone else to suffer our father's fate, say Tad Kahsai's family

In the near future, police will present a report to the coroner. But Mr Kahsai's family say there are questions - around hospital procedures and the police search - that only an inquiry or inquest will resolve.

They say they don't want anyone else to suffer the same fate as their father.

The government, Calvary Hospital and ACT police on Tuesday refused to comment on his disappearance and death, beyond offering sympathy for his family.

Mr Kahsai's body was recovered from bushland on Saturday, three months after he walked out of Calvary Hospital where he was being treated for alcohol withdrawal.

A breakdown in communication between the hospital and police meant more than 24 hours passed before officers began searching for Mr Kahsai.

It was weeks before the dog squad, divers and a helicopter could search the two kilometres of bushland surrounding the hospital. His body was eventually found about three kilometres away.

After waiting three months for news of their father, Mr Kahsai's family demanded on Monday a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.

This includes "the role of the hospital in not preventing him from leaving when he was in great distress, disoriented, unsteady on his feet, and clearly at the time a danger to himself," his family said in a statement.

With the symptoms Mr Kahsai was experiencing, "a strong argument can be made that he posed a danger to himself and the question then that needs to be asked is why a restraint order was not obtained by the hospital," his family said.

"The family understands this is now a matter for the coroner who'll decide whether cause of death needs to be determined or whether the public interest aspects regarding Tad's death warrant an inquiry."

"There are so many issues around hospital procedures and the police search that only an inquiry will properly resolve them. [The family] don't want anybody else to suffer the same fate as their dad."

A Calvary Hospital spokesman declined to say whether the incident would prompt an internal review. "Calvary will not be making any comment at this stage as the matter is referred to the coroner," the spokesman said.

The response was echoed by ACT Police, which said, "The circumstances of the death are being investigated and a report will be prepared for the coroner. It is not appropriate to comment further at this time".

Health minister Simon Corbell said, "My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Mr Kahsai's family and friends in this difficult time."

But as a report was being prepared for the coroner, he added it would not be appropriate to make further comment at this time.

Opposition leader Jeremy Hanson said the circumstances around Mr Kahsai's death were tragic, and expressed his sympathy to the man's family.

"It is now the responsibility of the police to investigate and the coroner to examine the circumstances of the death," he said.

"I expect that there will be a full and thorough coroner's report."

Action by the coroner following Mr Kahsai's death is contingent on the police report.