New allegations of improper mental health care at Abbotsford hospital

Jackie Gettings says she begged staff at Abbotsford Regional Hospital to hold her daughter in fear she’d take her own life.

“Two suicide attempts in three weeks and I have no help,” says Gettings.

Instead, she says 14-year-old Destiny was released by hospital staff. Gettings says she was told Destiny didn’t meet the criteria to be kept for stabilization. Soon after, her daughter went missing only to be found days later in Surrey by police.

“100 per cent negligent services on the part of Abbotsford hospital, I put up a formal complaint and will be following up on that,” she says.

Gettings also formally addressed the board of Fraser Health at a public question and answer session offered in Langley.

“I want accountability here,” said Gettings at the meeting. “My daughter deserves it. She deserves proper care from you guys and she didn’t get it.”

In response, Fraser Health CEO Michael Marchbank told Gettings, “no one is disputing there’s an issue.”

The confrontation came after a public inquest was called into the deaths of Brian David Geisheimer, Sebastien Pavit Abdi and Sarah Louise Charles. All three died within days of being released from the Abbotsford Hospital.

READ MORE: BC Coroners looking into three mental health deaths following release from Abbotsford Hospital

“We are expanding services in Abbotsford in that area and will continue to look at it because it is a growth area,” says Marchbank.

Fraser Health says 30,305 emergency mental-health visits were made across all its hospitals in the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

When asked if patients are being released because of a lack of resources or the clinical opinions, Marchbank says all decisions are made in the best interest of the patient.

MLA Sue Hammell, the NDP critic for Mental Health says the system is failing on both fronts.

“The system is not clear, it’s not well resourced. It’s completely inadequate and people in this province deserve better.”