‘Our son was autistic. He should never have been on an adult psychiatric ward’: Mum welcomes FAI move after teenager’s death

The family of a teen who took his own life after being placed in a locked adult psychiatric ward have been granted a Fatal Accident Inquiry.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Jane Macdonnell is “relieved” the Lord Advocate has agreed to the hearing following a Sunday Post campaign highlighting major inadequacies in the provision of care for young people.

Her son, Harris, 19, a hugely talented musician and rugby player, was sent to a locked adult ward after a breakdown following a diagnosis of autism.

Harris, who lived near Melrose with his family, was so terrified of being sent back to the Huntlyburn ward by NHS Borders that he took his own life four years ago.

Dr Macdonnell said: “We sincerely hope it will highlight the inadequacies in the system which mean far too many young people are still not being able to access specialist mental health services.

“The FAI cannot bring our beloved son back to us, but we are determined that other families do not have to suffer the terrible loss of a child because there aren’t enough dedicated beds or sufficient mental health services being made available.

“We believe Harris would still be with us had he not been sent to an adult ward which was completely inappropriate for his needs.

“He was struggling to come to terms with being diagnosed with autism, and a locked psychiatric ward terrified him.

“The place was filled with adults with drug or drink addiction which Harris had no understanding of.

“There was no appropriate care for an autistic teenager. He simply should not have been placed there.”

‘A hugely important case’

Harris’s family have set up a charity supporting rugby and music projects as a lasting legacy, and they have been lobbying MSPs and medical experts to improve specialist mental health services for young people.

Dr Macdonnell said: “The FAI will shine a light on the inadequacies of the system, and we hope this will be the impetus the government needs to ensure far more beds are made available and services are improved.

“We have met with the Advocate Depute. It is clear the Lord Advocate is taking this case very seriously. We don’t expect any hearing to be before next year.”

Scottish Conservative Shadow Social Justice Minister Miles Briggs said: “This is a hugely important case which we hope will lead to lasting change in how mental health services are delivered to young people.

“We already know the number of available beds is woefully inadequate, and far more resources are needed for mental health teams who can support families in their own homes.

“The Scottish Government may well find itself in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child over their failure to provide adequate mental health provision for our young people, so this is not an issue they can continue ignoring.”

The Mental Welfare Commission reports that 66 young people were sent to adult psychiatric wards last year.

Scotland only has 54 beds in specialist mental health units for young people, 48 for adolescents and six for those under the age of 12.