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| Suicidal girl to be moved to special unit after judge approves care plan | Suicidal girl to be moved to special unit after judge approves care plan |
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| A high court judge who warned that society would have “blood on its hands” unless a 17-year-old girl considered at high risk of killing herself was given urgent support has approved an NHS care plan for her. | |
| Sir James Munby, the president of the family division of the high court, warned last week that the girl, known only as X, could kill herself within 48 hours of being released from detention on 14 August if mental health services could not find a place for her to receive intensive treatment. | Sir James Munby, the president of the family division of the high court, warned last week that the girl, known only as X, could kill herself within 48 hours of being released from detention on 14 August if mental health services could not find a place for her to receive intensive treatment. |
| On Monday he approved a plan put forward by NHS England, which has offered her “a bespoke package of care” for up to four weeks following a transfer to a new facility on Thursday. | On Monday he approved a plan put forward by NHS England, which has offered her “a bespoke package of care” for up to four weeks following a transfer to a new facility on Thursday. |
| In his judgment, Munby said: “I cannot escape the powerful feeling that, but for my judgment, the steps subsequently taken would have been neither as effective nor as speedily effective as appears to have been the case. | In his judgment, Munby said: “I cannot escape the powerful feeling that, but for my judgment, the steps subsequently taken would have been neither as effective nor as speedily effective as appears to have been the case. |
| “This, however, is not a matter for congratulation; on the contrary, it is, of itself, yet further cause for concern. The provision of the care that someone like X needs should not be dependent upon judicial involvement, nor should someone like X be privileged just because her case comes before a very senior judge. | “This, however, is not a matter for congratulation; on the contrary, it is, of itself, yet further cause for concern. The provision of the care that someone like X needs should not be dependent upon judicial involvement, nor should someone like X be privileged just because her case comes before a very senior judge. |
| “I emphasise this because a mass of informed, if anecdotal, opinion indicates that X’s is not an isolated case and that there are far too many young women in similar predicaments. How are they to be protected?” | “I emphasise this because a mass of informed, if anecdotal, opinion indicates that X’s is not an isolated case and that there are far too many young women in similar predicaments. How are they to be protected?” |
| He remarked how his outspoken comments had “prompted substantial coverage” in the media. “It was, for example, the main front page story in both the Guardian and the i. This seems to have had some effect.” | He remarked how his outspoken comments had “prompted substantial coverage” in the media. “It was, for example, the main front page story in both the Guardian and the i. This seems to have had some effect.” |
| Munby made the stark claim that the girl’s situation demonstrated the country’s “disgraceful and utterly shaming” lack of proper mental health provision. | Munby made the stark claim that the girl’s situation demonstrated the country’s “disgraceful and utterly shaming” lack of proper mental health provision. |
| In a judgment last week he explained that X had made a large number of “determined attempts” on her life. She was due to be released from a secure unit, named as ZX, and doctors believed she needed to be placed in further care for her own protection. He revealed there were no places available for her in an “appropriate clinical setting”. | In a judgment last week he explained that X had made a large number of “determined attempts” on her life. She was due to be released from a secure unit, named as ZX, and doctors believed she needed to be placed in further care for her own protection. He revealed there were no places available for her in an “appropriate clinical setting”. |
| “If, when in 11 days’ time she is released from ZX, we, the system, society, the state, are unable to provide X with the supportive and safe placement she so desperately needs, and if, in consequence, she is enabled to make another attempt on her life, then I can only say, with bleak emphasis: we will have blood on our hands,” Munby wrote. | “If, when in 11 days’ time she is released from ZX, we, the system, society, the state, are unable to provide X with the supportive and safe placement she so desperately needs, and if, in consequence, she is enabled to make another attempt on her life, then I can only say, with bleak emphasis: we will have blood on our hands,” Munby wrote. |
| On Friday, the NHS said it had found a hospital to look after her. Dr Mike Prentice, NHS England’s medical director for its north of England region, said: “Following extensive assessments, the NHS has identified a bed for this young woman in a safe and appropriate care setting which will best meet her needs.” | On Friday, the NHS said it had found a hospital to look after her. Dr Mike Prentice, NHS England’s medical director for its north of England region, said: “Following extensive assessments, the NHS has identified a bed for this young woman in a safe and appropriate care setting which will best meet her needs.” |
| In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Hotlines in other countries can be found here | In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Hotlines in other countries can be found here |