MONTREAL – Patients’ rights advocates are speaking out after Global News’ exclusive report about a patient escaping from the Douglas Mental Health University Institute for the fourth time this week.
Jeffrey Beaudry is hospitalized under a court order, meaning the hospital has a legal obligation to ensure the patient’s safety.
EXCLUSIVE: Montreal family sounds the alarm over alleged lack of security at the Douglas Institute
“Of course it’s frightening for the family and certainly for the administration which, let’s remind everyone, is duly responsible for these kinds of patients, to make sure they are in a secure environment,” said Paul Brunet, chair of the Council for the Protection of Patients.
Beaudry’s family spoke out on Tuesday after the 31-year-old left the hospital and showed up at home in the middle of the night.
“The danger is that Jeffrey will cross the street, not noticing anything,” said his mother Liba Probost.
“He’ll cross the street on red lights, it’s become a very serious matter.”
The family hoped the hospital would take more measures to ensure Beaudry’s safety, but after seeing him Wednesday, they worry doctors have increased his medication to make up for a lack of supervision.
It’s a common practice, according to one lawyer, especially with elderly patients in long-term care facilities.
“Sometimes when there’s not enough personnel we increase the medication to make it easier to control the patient,” said medical malpractice lawyer Jean-Pierre Ménard.
“It’s not acceptable.”
The executive director of Friends for Mental Health on Montreal’s West Island worries that massive budgets cuts at the Douglas are to blame for decreased security.
“What about the rest of these people? I mean he cannot be the only one.” said Beverly Hanck.
“Maybe the government or the minister will notice when somebody finally gets hit by a car on Lasalle Boulevard, then they’ll wake up.”
Health Minister Gaétan Barrette refused Global News’ request for an interview, and the Douglas Institute would not discuss the specific case, citing patient confidentiality.
However, administrators at the institute issued a statement saying protocol is always followed in such matters:
“If the patient is, for example, under a court order, the procedure requires that a notification be made immediately. This procedure is always applied by the book…We always suggest that families contact the complaints commissioner if they are unsatisfied.”
The family has already filed numerous complaints, and Beaudry’s mother is now considering taking legal action against the hospital.
“I don’t trust the Douglas anymore,” said Probost.