WATCH: More people are coming forward with concerns about the care of mental health patients at Abbotsford Regional Hospital following the B.C. Coroner’s announcement of a public inquest. Jeremy Hunka reports.
More people are coming forward with concerns about the care of mental health patients at Abbotsford Regional Hospital following the B.C. Coroner’s announcement of a public inquest.
Family members of victims are relaying their first-hand experiences of alleged neglectful care.
On August 18, 2015, the B.C. Coroners Service announced the inquest will be looking into the deaths of three patients who died shortly after stays at the Abbotsford hospital.
All three had been admitted to the hospital for mental health care prior to their deaths.
READ MORE: BC Coroners looking into three mental health deaths following release from Abbotsford Hospital
Brian Geisheimer was one of the three patients whose case will be reviewed in the public inquest.
According to his step sister Amber Wasney, hospital staff allowed him to storm out of the hospital following an argument on December 28, 2014.
She claims no one followed Geisheimer out, despite the fact that he was on suicide watch.
His family claims he was often allowed outside unsupervised.
“He should not have been allowed out for cigarette breaks. He should not have been allowed to go out with his friends for the day,” said Wasney.
Geisheimer took his life later that day.
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A fourth case becomes public
Another family is speaking out after a loved one’s tragic end following a stay at the hospital.
This case is not part of the three to be reviewed by the inquest, but it tells a similar story of what some describe as neglectful care.
According to Chester Webb, the ‘terrifying’ quality of care his wife Christine received at Abbotsford hospital contributed to her death.
“The care at Abbotsford was appalling,” says Webb.
Christine had a long history of depression and had attempted suicide multiple times.
Webb alleges the hospital released his wife in July 2014, despite knowledge of her mental health history.
Two days later she took her own life after swallowing 300 pills, chasing it with weed killer mixed with Gatorade.
Fraser Health Authority has declined to comment on camera about the allegations towards Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
They have however, released a statement saying they will be working with the Coroners Service and will respond to all their requests for information and documentation.
“We are aware of these tragic incidents and our thoughts are with the families at this time. We work closely with the Coroners Service and will continue to respond to all requests for information and documentation. Upon the conclusion of the Coroner’s Inquest in May 2016, we will respond to any recommendations contained in the Verdict at Inquest. As always, we are diligently following our own internal review process with regards to all three of these tragic events.”
Meryl McDowell, Director, Mental Health and Substance Use at Fraser Health
They said they will respond to any recommendations contained in the verdict after the inquest.
When asked about the case of Christine Webb, Fraser Health refused to comment, stating privacy concerns.
The Fraser Health Authority asks people with concerns to contact them directly.
– with files from Jeremy Hunka
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