Northern Beaches Hospital: Mental health patient walked two hours home after 1am discharge
A patient who was taken by police to Northern Beaches Hospital over fears he may harm himself was released in the middle of the night and left to walk two hours home along a dangerous road.
Manly
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A man who was taken by police to Northern Beaches Hospital over fears he could be suicidal, says he was released in the middle of the night and forced to walk home along the Wakehurst Pkwy.
Henry Zaranko, 51, of North Narrabeen, said his former partner called emergency services on December 30 over fears for his wellbeing following the end of their relationship.
“I was depressed on my couch at home,” Mr Zaranko said.
He said it was a natural reaction following a break-up.
But the father of one said paramedics and police arrived at his home and he was taken “against his will” to Northern Beaches Hospital for a mental health assessment.
He said he was kept in the Emergency Department for a couple of hours while he was assessed and deemed well enough to go home at around 1am.
He said staff did not ask him how he was getting home.
Mr Zaranko said while he had his phone, wallet and Opal card on him he said he could not afford a taxi, did not want to burden anyone by calling in the middle of the night, and guessed there were few if no buses, so felt he had no option but to walk to North Narrabeen.
He said while he had not been feeling suicidal before he was brought to the hospital he contemplated taking his life on the long, walk home.
“I was left in a situation far worse than before,” he said.
“The Wakehurst Pkwy is the darkest road that anyone can walk down alone.
“There’s no footpath, no lighting, no nothing.
“If you wanted to disappear into the bush no one would find you for months.”
Mr Zaranko said he can’t remember exactly how long it took him to walk but a Google search suggests it would take two hours to complete the journey.
He is currently receiving support from a psychologist for his depression.
Concerns over the care of mental health patients at Northern Beaches Hospital was raised at a parliamentary inquiry into the running and management of the public-private facility. One submission from a frontline service claimed a mental health patient had died within 24 hours of being released.
The peninsula’s top cop Superintendent Dave Darcy has also previously called for a review of how the hospital deals with its mental health patients following concerns over after-care for patients.
A spokesman for Northern Beaches Hospital said Mr Zaranko was offered but declined admission to hospital, noting a preference to return home.
A referral to community mental health teams was provided prior to his discharge.
“Northern Beaches Hospital does offer cab charges or patient transport service where appropriate,” the spokesman said.
However, they were unable to confirm whether Mr Zaranko was offered a cab charge.
Dr Gary Jacobson, CEO of Community Care Northern Beaches that provides follow up support for mental health patients, said it was looking at alternative solutions to sending mental health patients to emergency departments which are busy places with competing priorities.
“An emergency department is not always the most suitable place for people to go to,” he said.
“This is why CCNB is working with others to explore alternatives to emergency departments particularly for people with a mental illness and those with suicidal thoughts.”
If you or someone you know needs crisis support, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.