A Dundee family has spoken of the emotional moment their son’s “extremely concerning” care was raised at Holyrood as Nicola Sturgeon was challenged on Tayside’s under pressure mental health services.
The first minister pledged to look into the case of 19-year-old Ryan Caswell, whose treatment she said “sounds to me to be unacceptable”.
We revealed on Thursday that his parents, Paul and Irene Caswell, have been left fearing for his life after he endured months of what they describe as “unnecessary chronic pain” at Dundee’s Carseview mental health unit.
Police have confirmed they are investigating an allegation of a physical assault on Ryan at the facility last month.
His parents allege he has at times been sedated and restrained instead of being given proper medical treatment.
‘When will it change?’
North East MSP Michael Marra wrote to the oversight group on Tayside’s mental health services calling for their concerns to be investigated “as a matter of urgency”.
He also raised Ryan’s case during a session of first minister’s questions on Thursday.
Mr Marra said: “My constituent Ryan Caswell has been a resident patient in Carseview mental heath unit in Dundee for two years and three months as a result of delayed discharge.
“Ryan has Autism Spectrum Disorder and learning disabilities.
“Ryan’s parents are beside themselves with worry due to the lack of appropriate medical care being provided to their son. They fear for his life.
“Ryan struggles to communicate. For much of the last year he has been crying out in severe pain, which has led only to restraints and sedation.”
Mr Marra said the staff made available to Ryan “do not have sufficient medical training to diagnose patients in their care”.
‘Most worrying report in public life’
A damning review of Tayside’s mental health services in 2020, led by former police chief David Strang, called for a “fundamental redesign” following years of failure.
Mr Marra said an update which last year rubbished claims the problems had been addressed in just 13 months was described to him “as the most worrying report in Scottish public life.”
“This has gone on for years as people suffer and people die,” Mr Marra said.
“First minister, when will it change?”
Nicola Sturgeon said she is not familiar with the details of Ryan’s case but from what was described “it sounds to me to be unacceptable”.
“I think in fairness to Ryan, and to his parents, who are understandably anxious and distressed, I want to look further into that,” Ms Sturgeon said.
“When I’ve had the opportunity to do so, I – or the health secretary – will reply in more detail to the member.”
Dad hails ‘heartening’ response
Speaking later, Ryan’s dad, Paul, said: “We’re very aware that it’s a difficult situation for anybody to become involved in so it was heartening to hear that the first minister’s taken a personal interest in it and is going to find out more.
“I think it resonated with everybody in the chamber.
“You could hear the applause after Michael spoke so I think a lot of people understand that it’s a situation that just can’t go on.
“I think they were able to identify with that, so we were really pleased that it got the reception that it did, and the interest that it did.”
NHS Tayside says the team caring for Ryan is “regularly in direct contact with the family, and their concerns are being addressed and independently investigated”.
Dundee couple say they fear for son’s life over treatment at Carseview