NSW hospital probed over death in toilet

An internal investigation is under way at a Newcastle hospital after a patient was reportedly found dead in a toilet near her bed eight hours after she went missing.

Hunter New England Health won't be releasing any information on the patient in line with the family's wishes, but Fairfax Media reports a search was not conducted for the woman until seven-and-a-half hours after she was last seen at John Hunter Hospital in May.

"We have offered our sincere condolences to the patient's family," the health district's chief executive Michael DiRienzo said.

"Interim disciplinary action has been taken with a number of staff members while the findings of the internal investigation are determined."

The death has been referred to the coroner.