Suicidal patient wasn’t released by us, says A&E consultant

AN A&E consultant said the patient discharged from the Mid-Western Regional Hospital hours before he committed suicide was not discharged by his department.

Patrick Cregan was brought to the psychiatric wing 5B of the hospital on the afternoon of August 6 when signed in by a GP as an involuntary patient due to his condition.

Mr Cregan, 56, was moved to the A&E department to have injuries treated. However, the HSE refused to detail Mr Cregan’s movement within the hospital between A&E and 5B before he was allowed home the following morning.