‘Broken system’ after man dies upon release from hospital

Tamsyn Midwinter, from Highworth, has started a government petition following her husbands solo discharge from hospital.

Iain Midwinter, from Oxfordshire, had suffered a psychotic episode last October in their home when Mrs Midwinter called 999.

On his discharge from hospital, Iain, a father of three, was released alone and wearing shorts and sliders on a cold day.

Mrs Midwinter said her husband was still suffering with a serious mental health crisis, unable to communicate, slurring badly and unable to follow simply instructions.

It took her and his mother more than an hour to find him on the day, due to his communication issues.

Mr Midwinter sadly committed suicide the next day.

She has now started a petition to get the review changed for the discharge of mental health patients.

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Iain and his daughter (Image: Tamsyn Midwinter)

She said: “If he had been discharged into the care of someone, we would not have let him leave.

“We would have refused his discharge and continued to fight for his wellbeing and mental state of mind, as it was very clear he was unwell.

“Unfortunately, this wasn’t an option for us as he was simply discharged.

Iain had previously suffered with severe anxiety problems, bi-polar disorder, paranoia and insomnia.

Tamsyn added that their entire family and friends are devastated by this tragic loss.

She said: “There’s so much mental health that isn’t visible, but no one should have the conversation with their 5 year old about their daddy never coming home again.

“That will for ever haunt me.”

The petition, which now has over 6,000 signatures, argued that the NHS system of discharging a patient with mental health problems alone is not protecting the vulnerable.

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It adds that this is a huge safeguarding issue and a careful review could prevent the loss of lives.

Mrs Midwinter said: “I believe that no one should be able to walk out of hospital alone while suffering a break down, or following a mental health crisis.

“I thought that by calling 999 he would be in safe hands and would get the help he desperately needed, sadly I was wrong as just hours later early on the 23rd October he was discharged.”

If the online petition reaches 10,000 signatures the government will respond to it.

In regards to patients with mental health problems the NHS states that ‘individuals should be regarded as partners in their own care throughout the discharge process and their choice and autonomy should be respected’.

The health service also says ‘discharge planning should start on admission or before, and should take place throughout the time the person is in hospital’.