A MOTHER whose daughter took her own life has criticised a decision to discharge her from a psychiatric unit in Glasgow.

Violet Paterson believes her daughter and “best friend” Lynette Giblen might still be alive if she had remained in Leverndale Hospital for a longer period with access to specialised help.

Violet says Lynette had always suffered from mental health problems but that her condition deteriorated sharply last year.

It led to her daughter being sectioned for up to 28 days at Leverndale, however she was discharged after around 10 days, Violet says.

Lynette took her own life at her mother’s home on October 10 last year at the age of 35, while Violet was at the shops.

She is pursuing a complaint about her daughter’s care through the health Ombudsman.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it had already met with the family but has offered to meet with them again to discuss Lynette’s care while at Leverndale.

Glasgow Times: Leverndale Hospital in Glasgow

Leverndale Hospital in Glasgow

Lynette’s brother is the renowned sculptor Jason Paterson, who designed and created Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games emblem, the Big G.

The artist was featured in the Evening Times in July after created a Butterfly sculpture in tribute to his sister.

Violet, who lives in Arden, said: “There was a change in June last year. She was thinking people were coming to get her.

“She came to stay with me. Things got quite bad so I took her to Pollock Resource Centre and they referred her to Leverndale.

“She was sectioned for (up to) 28 days but within about 10 days, the psychiatrist called me in and told me, “I’m discharging your daughter on Monday. He said to me 'She has to be responsible.'

“I said, 'I’m sorry, if she was responsible she wouldn’t be in here. I know her, she’s my daughter.'

“He said he would put her into sheltered housing. I spoke to them and they were sending her to a homeless unit.

“I said to them, there is no way you are sending her there. I’m taking her home.”

Lynette, who was separated from her husband, was subsequently admitted to another general hospital outwith Glasgow before her death, weeks after she was discharged.

Violet says this reinforces her concerns that her daughter should have been kept in the dedicated psychiatric hospital.

Research has shown a quarter of suicides occur within three months of discharged from hospital.

The Scots study also found people who killed themselves were also three times more likely to have been last discharged from a general hospital than a psychiatric one. 

Violet said: “The reason I wanted to make a complaint, is that my daughter should never, ever have been discharged from Leverndale.

“I just want to warn other families. If you think your child should be kept in, fight for it, push them.

“Even if they don’t want to be kept in.

“If she had been kept in Leverdale, I’m sure she would still be alive. Years ago, my sister had a nervous breakdown and she was kept in for months. I would say Lynette was far worse than her.

“She was my best friend.

“She loved singing. She had a big heart. I don’t think people get the right support when they really need it.”

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Our thoughts are with the family. We have met with them and are happy to meet again to discuss any concerns they may have about Lynette’s treatment.”