Scottish mental health unit ‘missed opportunities’ to help woman

Mrs F experienced mental health problems after believing she had harmed a child by serving food they were allergic to while working as a school dinner lady.

The woman, who was in her 50s, thought she had mixed up food bags given to pupils, and told her husband that she feared “hit men” would be coming for her.

She unsuccessfully attempted suicide twice because of this belief, but concealed the attempts from her husband.

Her concerned husband, referred to as Mr F in the report, took her to the nearest emergency department, where she was considered at risk and referred to the mental health assessment unit for a more detailed evaluation.

However, the unit did not speak to Mr F, as staff said his wife had not given consent to sharing information with him.

The report stated this meant “highly relevant information” was missed by staff.

The emergency department’s information was also either not available or not used by the assessment unit, which then discharged Mrs F to go home, with no further mental health appointments planned.

Mr F told the commission he had felt “rushed out” of the unit.

Mrs F died two days later.