Bereaved mum to hold urgent talks with NHS Tayside over recent deaths
Mandy McLaren's holding virtual talks with the health board's chief executive this afternoon
Last updated 22nd Feb 2021
A Dundee mental health campaigner's holding urgent talks with NHS Tayside over the number of recent deaths in the region.
Mandy McLaren's son took his own life six years ago in 2015, she'll be holding virtual talks with NHS Tayside's Chief Executive later today over the recent failings of the health board.
"I want to talk to them about what's happening. Why are the deaths still happening?"
She said: "I want to talk to them about what's happening. Why are the deaths still happening? I want to know why, why there's no changes here?"
An investigation into one linked to the Murray Royal Hospital is currently ongoing, and last week a Perth and Kinross council report noted there have been 'a number of recent suicides'.
The Crown office also confirmed they have received a report in relation to the death of a 17-year old man in Dundee on 13th February 2021.
Last week, MSP's voted to declare a mental health emergency across Scotland.
In a statement, NHS Tayside said: "Every death by suicide is a tragedy for the individual with far-reaching impact on family, friends and communities.
“We will continue to work alongside all stakeholders and ensure that the voices of people with lived and professional experience will continue to feature strongly - and influence - the implementation and delivery of the strategy as we transform mental health services in Tayside.
“Suicide prevention is a key priority of the Tayside Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy ‘Living Life Well - a Lifelong Approach to Mental Health in Tayside, which is due to launch this week.
"The strategy has been co-created and co-produced with people from across Tayside, including those with lived or professional experience, members of the public, staff and other key stakeholders."