Suicide teenager ‘fell through the cracks’

A report into the suicide of a north Belfast teenager in 2005 says he was failed by the health service.

Danny McCartan, 18, took his own life in April of 2005, hours after he asked to be admitted to a psychiatric ward. He had a history of depression and self-harm.

The young man requested admission to the hospital but was refused, partly because a specialist nurse said the suicide risk was low.

The trust has since apologised.

An independent panel found a list of problems in the teenagers care, including staff shortages as well as problems of lack of communication, confusion and delay.

The review concluded he was treated by a “fragmented and disjointed’ health service and he simply “fell through the cracks”.

Bernie McNally, Director of Children’s Services at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, said: “There is no doubt that the services failed Danny. There is no doubt that child and adolescent mental health services at that time were not good,” she said.

“It is well accepted that young people should not be in adult wards.

“They are not good places, they are not good environments for young people to be in.”

The boy’s family said they did not want an apology from the trust, however they wanted to see changes in the system.

(JM/KMcA)