Death of client goes unnoticed for hours

An investigation has been launched into the death last week of a
patient at a psychiatric hospital in Cardiff.

The woman apparently lay dead at Whitchurch psychiatric hospital
for about 10 hours before her death was discovered. The
investigation is being carried out by Cardiff and Vale
NHSTrust.

Ana Palaz¢n, Wales executive for Help the Aged, said the case
was “yet another example of the low priority given to older
people’s mental health services in Wales and throughout the UK.
Services for older people with mental health problems must be
completely overhauled.”

It is thought that the woman died at about 10.30pm one night last
week. Her death was not discovered until 8.30am the next morning.

The case comes on the heels of a critical report about the
treatment of older patients by Manchester Mental Health and Social
Care Trust (news, page 9, 25 September). The report, by the
Commission for Health Improvement, said that standards of care were
unacceptable and suggested that the problem was not confined to
Manchester.

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