Surrey man's death prompts call for change
Peace Arch NewsDec 11, 2018
The death of a
Beds for patients admitted to hospital with acute medical and mental-health issues are lacking in the province, and were non-existent at
"Throughout the investigation the challenge of balancing critically acute medical care of patients in conjunction with mental health support of decompensated patients was raised," she writes.
"Typically patients are admitted to a medical unit, with the ongoing support and following of psychiatric services, or vice versa. Currently there are very limited beds in the province of B.C. that are dedicated, with appropriately trained staff, to support patients who are both suffering from acute medical and mental health issues."
That Walden did not receive proper care and monitoring in his final weeks was a key concern of his wife, mother and siblings when they decided to go public with his story seven months after his death, as part of their efforts to reverse a classification that deemed Walden's death a suicide.
At that time, his widow Nicki said that the final straw was reading in PAN that a woman who had died on
The similarities to Spencer's case hit home, they said, and they told PAN they were frustrated by what they felt was a lack of accountability by health officials.
"It's a mess," Walden's brother Brodie said at the time. "Surrey Memorial discharged him early when we asked them not to, Peace Arch gave him day passes when we asked them not to,
"Unfortunately, he paid the price."
Walden's family was not immediately available Monday for further comment, however, his sister Tara told PAN Friday that the report "includes a recommendation I want to fight for."
Walden, who was 32 when he died, had struggled with his mental health since he was a teenager, but as an adult, was high-functioning and lived a productive, happy life, his family had told PAN. Outside of those close to him, most people had no idea he lived with mental illness.
In Thompson's report – which ultimately maintains the suicide classification is appropriate – she notes Walden had strong support from his family and church community, and no known history of "suicidal ideation" or illicit-drug use.
He was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 16, and further diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in his adult years.
Walden had "approximately five" hospital psychiatric admissions prior to
Six weeks prior to his death, Walden was admitted to
Taken to
The medical team determined Walden's deterioration was linked to him trying to taper off of an antipsychotic medication that had typically been effective, but which Thompson learned had side effects that Walden found "challenging."
On
That same day, Walden left the hospital against medical advice, and police were later involved.
Early the next morning,
Walden was transferred to
That cause was ruled out through lab tests.
Walden was also diagnosed with a liver injury, Thompson learned. He was physically restrained due to signs of paranoia – including hearing voices – and concerns he may try to leave.
Medical reports indicated Walden was initially to have a one-to-one "sitter" while on the medical ward. He was later transferred to a three-to-one support structure – a ratio deemed adequate at the time, as Walden had limited mobility; he was unable to bear weight on his right foot.
Thompson notes Walden began to stabilize at
A
At approximately
Just before
"Medical staff attempted to physically and verbally stop
"Security was contacted.
While Walden's family had disputed a ruling that his death was a suicide, Thompson agreed with the classification.
"A classification of suicide includes deaths in people whose cognition may be impaired by acute psychosis, intoxication or impulsive acts," she states. "A key consideration is that the act is purposeful. Based on the findings above and the description of events surrounding
Thompson's recommendation to assistant deputy minister of health Dr.