Health board's 'many failings' criticised after patient's death

A coroner has criticised the "many, many failures" of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board after a patient was found dead a short time after leaving a psychatric unit.

The body of 36-year-old Iwan Lewis, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was recovered from the Menai Strait in May last year.

He'd been allowed to leave the Hergest unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd by staff after saying he was going to the corner shop.

At the inquest, his mother said she believed her son would still be alive if he had received the right medical support and if doctors had listened to her concerns.

Despite the failings, the coroner said the health board had been "frank" in identifying weaknesses and already had a plan in place to ensure similar incidents didn't happen again.

Following the conclusion of the inquest, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board offered their condolences to the family of Iwan Lewis and said they would consider how to improve the way they communicate with the families of patients.