Letter to the Editor
The Hamilton Spectator
July 23, 2002
Patient death in ER
Inquest is a good idea
RE: 'St. Joe's probing death of patient in emergency' (July 19).
We were saddened to learn of the death of Rusty Potter. For those of us who knew him, he will be remembered for his kindness, his outgoing personality and for his sensitivity towards others. He was well liked and often was a bright spot in our day. This is a tragic loss for his family, his friends and for the community.
Unfortunately, his death reinforces the concern that persons with mental illness do not obtain appropriate medical treatment.
All too often, our clients don't get access to medical services or their concerns go unrecognized because the symptoms are viewed as "part of their illness" or that they are "attention seeking" by asking for help.
Medical issues for individuals with mental illness must be taken seriously.
The article mentions that the family will ask for a coroner's inquest. Perhaps an inquest could examine the issues that most individuals with mental illness experience at some point: Access to appropriate and timely medical care, police treatment of individuals with mental illness, access to appropriate supports and services in the community, and the use of restraint when dealing with individuals with mental illness.
Let's not allow the system to walk away from its responsibility. Instead, as a community, let's rise up to demand accountability, a close review of the circumstances that led to Rusty Potter's death and an inquest to ensure that this doesn't happen to anyone else.
Let's not let his death be in vain but instead use this as a catalyst to examine quality of care and life issues that affect all individuals with mental illness.
-Gwen Davidson,
Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office,
Hamilton.
