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10/09/2012
Suicide Watch Family Accuse Mater Hospital Of 'Not Listening'
The family of a suicidal man have hit out at Belfast's Mater Hospital for releasing him on the grounds that he was of no danger to himself.
They said staff are "not listening" to suicide concerns.
The news emerged today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, as Stormont politicians debated suicide and Health Minister Edwin Poots said people in deprived parts of Northern Ireland were three times more likely than others to take their own lives.
The North Belfast News reported that the 22-year-old in question was taken to hospital at 9am last Monday (September 3) after his family talked him out of a threat to kill himself.
Four hours later, at 1pm, Mater Hospital doctors released the man and he is now under the round-the-clock care of his family.
Close relative Kate Ferrin said the events paralleled the run-up to her own son's death.
Christopher 'Chricky' Scott-Ferrin, 19, died by suicide in August 2010, five days after spending eight hours in the hospital and being seen only by a triage nurse and an A&E doctor.
Ms Ferrin said: "They are just not listening, the lessons should have been learnt by now. Somebody has attempted to take their own life but is then told he is not a danger to himself, what does he have to do? The Mater are failing people with serious mental health problems."
A spokesman for the Belfast Trust said treatment plans for people with suicidal thoughts differ from person to person. He said assessments "can be" carried out within four hours for urgent cases.
(NE)
They said staff are "not listening" to suicide concerns.
The news emerged today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, as Stormont politicians debated suicide and Health Minister Edwin Poots said people in deprived parts of Northern Ireland were three times more likely than others to take their own lives.
The North Belfast News reported that the 22-year-old in question was taken to hospital at 9am last Monday (September 3) after his family talked him out of a threat to kill himself.
Four hours later, at 1pm, Mater Hospital doctors released the man and he is now under the round-the-clock care of his family.
Close relative Kate Ferrin said the events paralleled the run-up to her own son's death.
Christopher 'Chricky' Scott-Ferrin, 19, died by suicide in August 2010, five days after spending eight hours in the hospital and being seen only by a triage nurse and an A&E doctor.
Ms Ferrin said: "They are just not listening, the lessons should have been learnt by now. Somebody has attempted to take their own life but is then told he is not a danger to himself, what does he have to do? The Mater are failing people with serious mental health problems."
A spokesman for the Belfast Trust said treatment plans for people with suicidal thoughts differ from person to person. He said assessments "can be" carried out within four hours for urgent cases.
(NE)
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Health Minister Shaun Woodward has visited the Mater Hospital Trust in Belfast and the Children's Hospice at Horizon House in Newtownabbey. The Minister toured the Mater’s Accident & Emergency Unit, and viewed a number of departments to discuss future plans and new models of care with hospital staff.
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Two wards open in the Mater Hospital
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Virus closes hospital beds across province
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are struggling to deal with the effects of a common virus which has left people waiting on trollies for beds and caused a severe backlog in surgery. The virus, which affects patients and staff, comes as hospitals throughout the province struggle to cope with an increased number of patients because of winter illnesses.
Virus closes hospital beds across province
Hospitals in Northern Ireland are struggling to deal with the effects of a common virus which has left people waiting on trollies for beds and caused a severe backlog in surgery. The virus, which affects patients and staff, comes as hospitals throughout the province struggle to cope with an increased number of patients because of winter illnesses.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
