The Southern District Health Board did not go ahead with a recommendation to issue helmets to mental health staff.

Yesterday, the Otago Daily Times reported the board issued helmets after two assaults in which nurses were punched in the head area.

The information was in a written response to an Official Information Act request.

However, mental health nursing director Heather Casey says the helmets were a recommendation only.

She says it was discussed at a clinical level around one particular patient and a decision was made that helmets were not required as the acute situation had resolved.