Probe sought into new safety and security concerns at Mayo hospital
AN investigation is being sought into how a vulnerable patient could abscond from the adult mental health unit within the grounds of Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar.
The incident occurred last month when the patient climbed through a window and descended down a drain pipe.
The patient was missing for between an hour and 90 minutes before his family was informed.
The family have since contacted the Mayo Mental Health Service, Mental Health Commission, Office of the Ombudsman, HIQA and the Health Safety Authority about the matter.
They want to know if an investigation has been conducted into the case and want to be furnished with statements of those who were responsible for the patient.
They are also seeking details on the procedural and building changes that will be made to ensure an incident of this nature never occurs again.
The details have also been outlined to a number of elected representatives, including Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Jim Daly.
Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, a member of the HSE West Forum, said the family have many questions and concerns in relation to the incident that occurred shortly before Christmas.
He stated they rightly see it as their responsibility to highlight, complain and get an explanation as to why the patient managed to escape from a psychiatric unit while under the duty of care of the HSE.
He stated: “The despair, anguish and heartache the family had to endure during the time the patient was missing, along with the way it was dealt with, was deeply upsetting to them.
“The safety of a patient should be paramount while in a psychiatric unit.”
The HSE does not comment on individual cases of this nature.
This is the second incident of its type to occur at Mayo University Hospital in recent months.
Another patient sustained serious injuries after exiting the facility through a second-storey window on the weekend of October 26 and 27 last and received treatment for his injuries in the hospital's intensive care unit.
At a subsequent meeting of the HSE West Forum, questions were raised over the health and safety of patients.