Jamie Wood’s family says health system failed him in weeks before suicide

A family fighting for answers after a suicide say their son and brother would be devastated to see the profound agony he has left behind.

A family fighting for answers from Queensland Health after the suicide of their son and brother say the system failed him after he was released from hospital countless times despite repeated cries for help.

Laughter once echoed through the family home of Jamie Wood, a popular Brisbane performer who’d appeared on stage with pop singer Ricki-Lee and was working on cruise ships before the pandemic put him out of work.

That laughter has been replaced with a quiet sadness and heavy sighs since he took his own life.

“I think he would regret what he did if he knew how much pain we are all in,” his sister Samantha Wood said.

Jamie Wood took his own life in August.

Her son Nash, who is usually swept off to be entertained by his adored uncle Jamie, instead played by himself as the family sat down on a Sunday morning to talk about the events that led to his suicide.

They are angry that more wasn’t done to help Jamie who was in and out of hospital almost a dozen times in the year prior to his death, and told his family that attempts to speak with mental health hotlines failed.

In the weeks before he took his life in August, Jamie wrote a suicide note and was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital under an emergency examination authority with significant self-inflicted wounds.

“They wrapped his arm up, made him stay for six to eight hours and then asked him to come back the following Friday for surgery,” Samantha said.

“How could you expect someone who wants to take their life to want to come back to have surgery?

“Jamie hated the hospital.”

Samantha Wood and Nicholas Wood believe more could have been done to save the life of Jamie Wood who took his own life. Picture: Richard Walker

His next self-harm incident was fatal.

Samantha said on a prior occasion, a junior doctor noted in a discharge letter that Jamie was released into her care, but she had no idea he had left the hospital.

The family have written to several ministers detailing their disappointment with the health system, including another occasion when Jamie escaped the hospital while under an emergency examination authority.

“The system failed,” his mother Lynn said.

Paul Wood, Lynn Wood, Samantha Wood, Nicholas Wood, Brittany Jobling and Nash Viner are fighting for changes. Picture: Richard Walker

Their suggestions for change include red-flagging people who continually present with self-inflicted wounds and referring them to a senior psychiatrist before their release, keeping photos of injuries on file, requiring people with borderline personality disorder to have a short stay at the hospital after self-harm, scheduling follow-up appointments, and always keeping a family member informed.

Queensland's Assistant Shadow Minister for Mental Health Rob Molhoek, who met with the family, said he would back them in their bid to promote something similar to a Ryan’s Rule for families dealing with mental health issues.

Ryan’s Rule allows parents to have their child’s care reviewed by a specialist if they think their concerns aren’t being listened to by hospital staff.

“It’s generally accepted that the rule applies across the entire health system and a lot of hospitals have information about it on the walls,” Mr Molhoek said.

“It could apply loosely but it doesn’t sit clearly as a rule for people with mental health issues.

“So the family is asking for that to be reviewed or there needs to be a new rule which could be Jamie’s Rule.”

Samantha Wood, Paul Wood, Nash Viner, Brittany Jobling, Lynn Wood and Nicholas Wood with pictures of Jamie. Picture: Richard Walker

Mr Molhoek said he mentioned Jamie’s case to Health Minister Yvette D’Ath when parliament sat earlier this month.

Ms D’Ath said she extended her sympathies to the family for their tragic loss.

“Assistant Minister Gilbert, along with a senior representative from the department and my office, recently met with Jamie’s sister,” Ms D’Ath said.

“We thank her for the opportunity to hear about her experiences.”

Metro North Health is currently reviewing Jamie’s case with a panel of content experts from outside of Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

A spokeswoman said the findings would be provided to the family once the review was completed.

“While the Root Cause Analysis is underway, no additional information can be provided,” she said.

“Metro North Health is actively working with Mr Wood’s family and will discuss facilitation of release of Mr Wood’s treatment detail.”

It’s understood the Health and Environment Committee is also considering correspondence from Jamie’s family who said they will continue to advocate for changes to the health system until they believe mental health issues are being handled adequately.

“People say that Jamie is at peace now,” Samantha said.

“But there is no peace because the trauma and all of the pain has now been passed onto us.”

The family now worry about each other’s mental health.

“You have another six people who possibly need to go through the public health system which is going to clog it up even more,” Jamie’s brother Nicholas said.

“If they did everything they could to address Jamie’s issues when they could, it may have saved another six people from needing to see psychiatrists or presenting at hospital with self-inflicted wounds.

“The longer changes are put off, the more the issue will compound.”

Nicholas said their aim was to help prevent other families from experiencing the same grief and the subsequent ripple effect.

Jamie is remembered as an exuberant performer who lit up every room.

If you need help with the topics mentioned in this story, you can contact Lifeline on 131114