Family say death highlights 'critical failings' at Portlaoise Hospital

The family of a man who died at Portlaoise Hospital say his death highlights ‘critical failings’ at the Department of Psychiatry.  

Portlaoise native David Duncan (42) was an involuntary patient at the Department of Psychiatry at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise when he took his own life on January 21 last year. 

It’s reported that an allegation was made during his inquest that staff whose job it was to monitor David in the Seclusion Room at the Department of Psychiatry had attended a ‘breakfast function’ on the morning he died. The staff who were questioned maintained they were at their posts, according to the report in the Sunday Independent.  It stated that the Coroner had concluded that there were no satisfactory answers to his death.  

The paper also reported that David’s death prompted the Mental Health Commission to raise concerns about the issue of non-risk assessed nightwear and led to the HSE withdrawing the use of the pyjamas at hospitals.   

David’s family issued a statement following his inquest, which took place in Portlaoise last week.      

“Unfortunately it took David’s death to highlight the critical failings that exist in the DOP Portlaoise. We as a family take some solace that the HSE has as a result of David’s death now implemented / changed / upgraded its systems and protocols including the Seclusion Room CCTV and audio. It is our hope that other very ill and vulnerable service users will benefit as a result.

“It remains very upsetting that the nurses on duty on that Sunday morning were unable to explain how it was that David died in the Seclusion Room while being continuously monitored. We do acknowledge that they confirmed on oath that they did not leave the DOP that morning.

The Verdict of the Coroner speaks volumes.

Perhaps when the two further enquiries that the HSE have presently underway conclude, more details and information may come to light,” they said. 

The HSE issued a statement following the inquest. It said: “The HSE Midlands Mental Health Service offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Duncan. The HSE is working to finalise the independent review as priority. The HSE Midlands is not in a position to comment any further and are engaged directly with the family. 

The HSE takes serious any allegations related to care and those would be investigated in line with the appropriate procedures.”