A Dundee family who feared for their son’s life following “extremely concerning” incidents at Carseview mental health unit say there has been almost no progress in improving his care – despite Nicola Sturgeon pledging to look into the case personally.
Ryan Caswell, 20, was first detained at Carseview mental health unit in January 2020 and is currently classed as a delayed discharge.
He has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and a learning disability, and has significant communication issues.
Former’s FM’s promise to intervene
Ms Sturgeon pledged to look into his case last year after we reported his parents believe he endured months of “unnecessary chronic pain”.
They allege he has at times been sedated and restrained instead of being given proper medical treatment.
The then-first minister told MSPs his care “sounds to me to be unacceptable”.
But one year on, Paul and Irene Caswell say there has been almost no progress and Ryan is still on the waiting list for a community placement.
A further adult safety concern has also recently been raised.
Still waiting
Mr Caswell said: “I don’t know what input, if any, either Nicola Sturgeon or her health minister had.
“There was certainly no contact with the family to find out about our concerns.
“I would think that if they had any interest at all, they would have made at least some contact with us to get our take on the matter.
“But they just didn’t do that.
“I think what they would all like is for us to just shut up and forget about Ryan but we will never do that.
“He’s our son and we have to look out for him so we’ll keep fighting.”
Ryan is currently being taken to a community nursing team twice a week to deal with ongoing headwounds.
His parents say the Mental Welfare Commission is looking into how he has been able to repeatedly injure himself while in Carseview.
Mr Caswell added: “There is nothing really positive I could say about where he is.
“It just goes on relentlessly and there doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel.
“There are no answers or solutions being offered. It’s just more of the same.”
No end in sight
The Caswells say they have serious concerns about the amount of information they are being told, along with apparent inconsistences with medical notes.
North East MSP Michael Marra described Carseview as a “deeply inappropriate setting” for Ryan.
He said: “Ryan’s situation is intolerable and must be resolved as soon as possible.
“It is difficult to see what more can be done by his parents to try and force a resolution and to get Ryan the care they all have a right to expect.
“The problem of delayed discharge in Tayside mental health services has been acknowledged many times. So why on earth is the situation not being resolved?”
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “Due to patient confidentiality we are unable to comment on matters relating to individual cases.
“The team caring for Ryan is in direct contact with the family and a meeting was held today with both health and social care teams to discuss his ongoing care needs and future plans.
“Health and social care teams are also liaising with the Mental Welfare Commission to further support Ryan.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “While Ministers cannot comment on individual cases, we are clear that all patients must be treated with dignity and respect.
“We are working closely with partners in NHS Tayside to make sure the expectations set out in the final report published by an oversight group looking at mental health services in the area are delivered and improve.
“We expect NHS Tayside will continue to work with local communities to rebuild trust and deliver the change required.”