Family ‘want answers’ from health board after Dundee dad took his own life

David Ramsay Snr wants to know why his son, David (right), was not admitted to Carseview four days before he was found dead in Templeton Woods.

The family of a Dundee man who took his own life are set to meet NHS bosses to demand answers over his death as they push for a fatal accident inquiry into the tragedy.

David Ramsay was found dead at the city’s Templeton Woods on October 9 2016.

His father David Ramsay Snr and niece Gillian Murray were due to sit down with NHS Tayside’s medical director Dr Andrew Russell to discuss the circumstances leading up to the 50-year-old’s death.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Gillian said: “This meeting will be an opportunity for the NHS medical director to apologise to us directly, as well as allow them the chance to attempt to answer the family’s questions before all of the information is sent to the Crown.”

David Ramsay Snr

Before he died, David had been suffering from a mental breakdown that led to psychosis.

After harming himself and attempting to take his own life by overdosing, David’s family convinced him to seek help from his doctor.

David’s GP contacted NHS Tayside’s Carseview Centre by emergency referral with a view to him being seen by mental health staff.

Mr Ramsay claims the medics decided against admitting his son — and David’s body was discovered four days later.

Gillian added: “Our main question is why, after three suicide attempts in less than a week and multiple attempts by his family and his GP to get him detained at Carseview Centre, was David repeatedly sent away?

“My entire family has been torn apart knowing that David was asking for help and it is our opinion that Carseview sent him to his death. We know that had David received the help, he would be here today.

“The way in which my family and I have been treated by Carseview and the NHS since David’s death has been nothing less than barbaric.”

David Ramsay

Mr Ramsay previously told the Tele he believed his son might still be alive if he had been admitted to one of the wards at Carseview.

The 79-year-old, of St Mary’s, said he feared he’d die without getting answers over why his son wasn’t given the treatment he felt he needed.

Mr Ramsay is being represented by solicitor Danny Devine, of Myles Muir and Laverty, as he presses for a fatal accident inquiry to be held.

A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said: “As this is a legal matter, it would not be appropriate to comment.”

 

 

Link to Evening Telegraph article here 

Mum of tragic Dundee dad Dale urges others to ‘keep up the fight’

Dale Thomson and mum Mandy McLaren

The mum of a young Dundee dad who took his own life after seeking treatment at the Carseview Centre has called on families in similar situations to “keep fighting”.

Dale Thomson, 28, was treated at the psychiatric unit between January 8 and 10 2015 after concerns were raised about his wellbeing and safety.

The Charleston man had been hearing voices, having paranoid ideas and had tried to take his life days earlier.

The Carseview Centre, beside Ninewells Hospital

He became restless and left the unit on January 10. He was further assessed on January 23 but wasn’t detained and was found dead four days later by his mum Mandy McLaren.

Dale’s death led to a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) taking place — the findings of which are due to be released later this year.

Mandy thanked people for their support during the FAI and also thanked other families who have gone through a similar process to seek justice for their loved ones.

She said: “It has been really hard having to sit through everything and being in limbo for three years.

“You don’t know what to do in the situation. You don’t know how to get the information you need.

“Sitting through the inquiry and hearing them talk about Dale was hard.

“It was about making sure that the same thing doesn’t happen to anyone else — there are other people out there who can be helped because of this.”

Dale Thomson

Mandy called on people in similar situations to follow the process through to the end — despite the emotional impact it has had on her and the rest of Dale’s family.

She said: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported my family through the FAI.

“I would also like to say thank you to every family who has fought for change in the mental health system. I know there are families who have fought a lot longer than we have and are still fighting.”

The FAI — which started in May last year — concluded at Dundee Sheriff Court last week.

Submissions were made by lawyers representing Dale’s family, procurator fiscal Steven Quither, medical staff who treated him and the NHS Tayside board.

 

 

Link to Evening Telegraph article here