Have they learned nothing from our Justin?

WAGGA Base Hospital is again under fire for its treatment of mental health patients, with the family of a man -who was discharged twice in the same day after he tried to harm himself -outraged at the lack of care he received.These events come six months after the inquest into the death of Justin Berkhout, who died six days after he hanged himself from a bar above his bed in the hospital's emergency department."I don't think they've learnt from this, if they had, he (the patient) would have been there longer ... I think next time something happens, they won't be so lucky," Justin's mother, Yvonne Berkhout said yesterday."(Next time) that person might actually do self-harm and not come through it, and we just can't keep doing this to mental health patients.The 28-year-old man was taken to WWBH by police during the night of Sunday, May 15 when he slashed his arms with a razor blade, resulting in 57 staples applied to the deep wounds.With an extensive criminal history due to his alcohol abuse, he was placed under police guard and his sister informed he would be transferred to the mental health unit, Gissing House, to be properly evaluated.His family, with the belief that he would "finally be getting help, and he was safe in hospital" were shocked to receive a text message from him the next morning saying he had been released at 6am, without any notification from the hospital.He was returned to the hospital later that day by his parole officer due to his condition, but once the officer left the patient he was released. The family was again not notified, nor were the police or his parole officer. He was also told that no available beds in Gissing House was a factor in the decision not to admit him.Greater Southern Area Health Service (GSAHS) said policy is to contact the next of kin or carer of mental health patients when discharging them, but cannot do so if the patient does not give permission.The mental health unit manager "knew nothing about my brother at all" when contacted, according to the man's sister.Eventually, the man was taken to Young District Hospital, where he was "clearly treated more appropriately" and an assessment was forwarded to WWBH. Armed with a referral from Young, he was taken to WWBH and finally admitted to Gissing House.GSAHS director of clinical operations for mental health and drug and alcohol, David West, said anyone who is intoxicated and having thoughts of self-harm are assessed by the Mental Health Emergency Care Support Centre (MHECS) team and treated as appropriate."In this case, the client was assessed and reviewed by the WWBH MHECS team, the psychiatric registrar and treating psychiatrist on several occasions and assessed by the drug and alcohol team," he said"The client was admitted to Gissing House however could not be detained under the Mental Health Act 2007 as his condition did not meet the legislative requirements for involuntary treatment."Mr West said the patient declined offers of ongoing treatment at Gissing House and follow-up care and treatment from the Wagga Drug and Alcohol Service.Even though he was discharged before sunrise and no family members were notified, Mr West said "the client was treated appropriately and in line with legislative requirements according to his presenting condition".Mrs Berkhout and her husband Adrian said yesterday there will probably never be enough for mental health, but improvements need to happen now."I'm begging all politicians, not just federal and local, whoever, I'm begging them to get off their bums and so something for mental health patients -we are losing so many people," Mrs Berkhout said.Mr Berkhout said the first step in mental health is having beds available for when cases such this one, and his son's, arise."Until we get these beds, the situation is not going to change much, that's what it boils down to," he said.Since the inquest, GSAHS has introduced the MHECS, 24-hour access to specialist psychiatric support, a "thorough risk assessment procedure", early referral to mental health services for treatment and management, and began work on a safe assessment room for the emergency department. GSAHS said yesterday that work is running on time and should be complete by the end of June.If you need help:GSAHS Carer Assist: 6925 9399beyondblue: 1300 224 636Lifeline: 131 144Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800Sunflower House: 6931 8770Community mental health access line: 1800 800