Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross is to make his first public appearance today, media have reported.
Stuff has reported that the former National Party MP confirmed he would attend the opening of the new Tiaho Mai building at Middlemore Hospital, both as the local MP, and as someone who received care there.
“That’s the Counties Manukau DHB’s mental health facility that I was admitted to last month,” Ross told Stuff.
Ross was embroiled in a major public battle with the National Party from which he was expelled.
He did not intend speaking at the event, said Stuff. “I’ll just be there quietly applauding the exceptional people that work in mental health, and thank them for what they do supporting patients during some very difficult times.
“I hope to see some of the doctors and nurses that were so kind to me while I was in their care.”
Ross confirmed on Wednesday he did not intend returning to Parliament next week, and maybe not till the new year, Stuff said.