Death of Scottish teen who suffered breakdown after autism diagnosis to be probed

A probe into the death of a teenager who took his own life after being placed in an adult psychiatric ward will focus on the care and treatment he received.

Harris Macdonnell, 19, was moved into the locked unit after suffering a breakdown following a diagnosis of autism.

He was so terrified of being sent back to the Huntlyburn ward by NHS Borders that he took his own life in August 2020.

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The Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain KC, ordered a fatal accident inquiry should take place after she ruled his death occurred in circumstances which give rise to ‘serious public concern’.

Scotland’s most senior prosecutor said the probe was necessary to examine the care and treatment received by Macdonnell, who stayed near Melrose, Roxburghshire.

The inquiry will also examine whether steps might have been taken to avoid his death.

A preliminary hearing will take place at Selkirk Sheriff Court on August 7 with the full inquiry set to get underway at a later date.

A notice announcing the first court hearing of the inquiry said: “The Lord Advocate having considered that the death occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern and that it is in the public interest for a public inquiry to be held into the circumstances of the death.

“The said Harris Macdonnell, died on 19th August 2020, his death was caused by electrocution having climbed an electricity pole.

“This inquiry is necessary to examine the care and treatment provided to Harris James Macdonnell and to examine whether steps might have been taken to avoid the death.”

His mum, Dr Jane Macdonnell, had previously welcomed the announcement of the inquiry.

She said: “We sincerely hope it will highlight the inadequacies in the system which mean far too many young people are still not being able to access specialist mental health services.

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“The FAI cannot bring our beloved son back to us, but we are determined that other families do not have to suffer the terrible loss of a child because there aren’t enough dedicated beds or sufficient mental health services being made available.

“We believe Harris would still be with us had he not been sent to an adult ward which was completely inappropriate for his needs.”

His family launched a charity which supports rugby and music projects and have been lobbying MSPs and medics to improve specialist mental health services for young people.

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