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The island's Mental Health Director has apologised for lapses in care and treatment of a patient with a history of schizophrenia, after an inquest concluded that neglect had contributed to his death.
Michael Watkins, the owner of a local gardening business, died on 16 August 2021 from acute cardiac failure which followed neuroleptic malignant syndrome – a rare and life-threatening reaction to anti-psychotic drugs characterised by fever, muscle rigidity, and altered mental status.
The inquest heard last week that he had been prescribed 16 times the recommended dose of the drugs and that he had also been discharged from the General Hospital a few weeks before his death when he was "obviously not well enough".
Giving evidence during the penultimate day of the inquest on Thursday, the head of the island's mental health service said that action had been taken since the death of Mr Watkins.
Andy Weir – Executive Director of Mental Health and Adult Social Care – outlined some of the steps that had happened in the immediate aftermath of Mr Watkins’ death, and since he took up his role with the Health Department in January 2022.
However, Mr Watkins' son, Luke, said it was "shameful" that it had taken a death for improvements to be made.
Following the inquest's conclusion, Mr Weir emphasised that the service had taken several actions since he had died.
“[Health and Community Services] HCS acknowledge the findings of the Relief Coroner given at the conclusion of the Inquest into the sad death of Mr Watkins. HCS wish to sincerely apologise again to the family of Mr Watkins for the acts and omissions in his care and treatment," Mr Weir said in a statement.
Pictured: Executive Director of Mental Health and Adult Social Care, Andy Weir.
He continued: “HCS accepted entirely the findings of the Serious Incident learning review that was conducted following Mr Watkins’ death, including the identified care and treatment concerns within both the General Hospital and within Mental Health services.
“Some actions were taken immediately to reduce the risk of reoccurrence, whilst other changes have been implemented in the last 18 months. Those changes were recognised by the Relief Coroner today. There is of course still further work to do, and we are committed to ensuring that this happens.
“We would also wish to reassure people using mental health services that Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is very rare indeed, and ask that they contact their mental health professionals if they have any concerns."
"Shameful" it took father's death to make health improvements
INQUEST DAY 1: "Prescribing error" saw Hospital patient given 16 times drug dose
INQUEST DAY 2: Hospital patient "obviously not well enough" for discharge before death
INQUEST DAY 3: Inquest hears of doctor's "dilemma" in treating “aggressive” patient
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