Suicide fear prompts mental health follow-up review call

A charity is calling for new guidelines to ensure people with mental health problems are followed up within 48 hours of leaving hospital.

Mind Cymru claim people are twice as likely to attempt suicide if not called within a week of being discharged.

The Welsh government's strategy says health boards should contact discharged patients within five working days.

But Mind Cymru believes that everyone who leaves a mental health hospital should receive such follow up within 48 hours.

"We know that when people are discharged from hospital they are at their most vulnerable in the first 48 hours," said Rhiannon Hedge, policy and campaigns officer at Mind Cymru.