Mother welcomes inquiry into autistic son's death

Harris Macdonnell, 19, took his own life in August 2020

The mother of an autistic teenager who took his own life after being treated in an adult psychiatric ward has welcomed the announcement of an inquiry into his death.

Harris Macdonnell, 19, died in August 2020, which his family say was caused by his fear of being sent back to the Huntlyburn ward by NHS Borders.

Harris, from near Melrose, had been admitted to an adult psychiatric ward three years earlier after suffering a breakdown, and was later diagnosed with autism.

His mother Dr Jane Macdonnell said she was "relieved" that the Crown had confirmed a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) would now go ahead.

She had campaigned for the inquiry to be held into his death

Scotland's Lord Advocate confirmed it would be "in the public interest" to review the death.

At the age of 16, Harris became acutely unwell but was admitted to the local adult psychiatric inpatient unit as there were no beds in any young person's unit in Scotland.

His mother said this had a devastating effect on the teenager, who had been a keen rugby player and musician.

Harris Macdonnell and his family

Dr Macdonnell told BBC Scotland News: "We have some specific issues that we would like addressed.

"We believe that there needs to be better inpatient facilities for children and young people. What Harris experienced was really unacceptable."

Dr Macdonnell said there was a "real lack of specialist knowledge" for young people and autism.

She previously told BBC Scotland News that his stay in the ward left Harris with "significant short and long term difficulties in his mental and physical health and his ability to engage with local services".

The Covid lockdown for coronavirus also had an adverse effect on Harris' mental health, as he became withdrawn and struggled to fit in socially.

Since her son's death, Dr Macdonnell has established the Harris Trust, a charity that uses music and sport to provide young people with activities.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for the Crown office, said the inquiry would "ensure that there can be a full public hearing of the facts of the case".

A notice will now be lodged with the sheriff court, followed by the timescale for the first preliminary hearing being set out in legislation.

Dr Macdonnell said she did not expect the FAI to proceed until early in 2025.