Mother says doctors didn't listen at inquest into son's death

The mother of a paranoid schizophrenic has told an inquest in Caernarfon she believes her son would still be here today if doctors at the Hergest unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd had listened to her.

Iwan Lewis was sectioned after attacking his mother at home. She told the inquest she tried but failed to get medical help when her son needed it.

After some weeks in hospital Iwan was taken off section but his mother believed he was not well enough.

Mrs Lewis told the coroner Nicola Jones that she believed Iwan should have been admitted to hospital earlier.

Over the Easter Bank holiday weekend, as her son deteriorated, she tried to get help. She said his consultant was on holiday and although there was cover, no one answered the phone when she rang for help and there was no GP.

Mrs Lewis says Iwan was admitted too late and says the relapse signs were there for some time. She said she tried to see a doctor and get him admitted, but failed.

She says when Iwan was in Hergest she was not consulted about his treatment or his discharge - despite being the main carer for him for 15 years and being named on his care and treatment plan.

Iwan's body was recovered from the Menai Strait in May last year, less than an hour after gaining permission to leave the Hergest unit to go to the corner shop.

The inquest continues.