Mental health patient found drowned
By Liz Lockhart
The body of David Swaine, 54, was found in a river. Swain from Brickhill, Bedford was regularly treated at the Weller Wing in Bedford as he struggled with depression.
Last week Bedford Coroner’s Court heard that Mr. Swaine was distressed that he had Huntington’s Disease because there was a history of this in his family. It is unclear whether he was aware that the result of a recent test had proved positive for the illness. He died on 6th January this year.
The Bedfordshire News reported that Swaine went out for a cigarette at around 8.45am but did not return. His body was found about three hours later in the River Great Ouse and the cause of his death was recorded as drowning. A verdict of misadventure was recorded.
This is the third patient death reported at Weller Wing, while being absent from the unit.
In February a patient died after going on an overnight leave. The inquest into this is yet to take place.
Another patient took his own life in June 2009 after absconding from the unit.
These figures were released as part of a Freedom of Information request .
Surely we must ask what level of care mental health patients receive. These three deaths just scratch the surface of what appears to be a lack of care which runs through the system. If someone truly wants to end their life then they will, however, when they are in a place of safety and care it is the care-providers duty of responsibility to assure that this does not happen.
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