Man took his life after leaving hospital

A MAN deemed at high risk of suicide took his own life the same day he had been left waiting alone for an hour in a psychiatric unit because two hospitals had different policies on the transfer of patients.

An inquest at Cork City Coroners Court yesterday heard the man had attempted suicide the previous night and was later brought from Cork University Hospital (CUH) to Mercy University Hospital (MUH), but walked out before being assessed for admission.

The hearing was adjourned as coroner Dr Myra Cullinane wants to take further evidence about differing policies on transfer of patients at CUH and St Michael’s Psychiatric Unit in MUH at the time. During evidence, Dr Cullinane was told the 21-year-old agreed to be admitted to St Michael’s and moved from CUH, where he was treated on the night of April 22 last after trying to kill himself.