WARNING: This story contains details some readers may find distressing.
A Perth teenager who took her own life within hours of leaving hospital had attempted suicide 25 minutes before being allowed to leave, a review has found, as her mother calls for improvements to mental health care.
Hailee Hildebrant, 18, was a mental health inpatient at Fiona Stanley Hospital when she died on January 13, sparking the clinical incident review.
The teenager also made “explicit statements” that she planned to take her own life before going on planned overnight leave, the report said.
Hailee Hildebrandt, 18, took her own life after she was released from Fiona Stanley Hospital. (Supplied: Stacey Hildebrandt)
It also stated the patient had told staff to notify her mother to collect her belongings, but there was no phone number available because she had been removed as the next of kin.
After leaving the hospital alone she sent several text messages to her mother saying she was going to kill herself.
Her mother called police who traced her phone and found her unresponsive.
Hailee’s mother Stacey Hildebrant told 102.5 ABC Perth Radio, she should not have been allowed to leave the hospital.
Hailee Hildebrandt was an inpatient at Fiona Stanley Hospital. (ABC News)
“I cannot figure out how they couldn’t recognise the crisis she was in and still let her go,” she said.
“In a mental health facility they can intervene. Sometimes they’re on 15-minute checks. That’s enough to save somebody’s life.”
Stacey said the hospital had previously contacted her so should have had her phone number, and that she had not been notified when she was removed as a next of kin.
“I’m unsure how somebody that mentally unwell was able to remove a next of kin,” she said.
Recommendations accepted
The clinical incident report made 21 recommendations for further reviews, training, processes and policies.
This included that the South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) develop a process for identifying a support person when there is no next of kin identified, as well as a “red flag” process for leave or discharge planning when there is no next of kin identified.
A SMHS spokesperson said the service accepted all of the recommendations and was working to put them into practice.
A memorial for Hailee in West Perth. (ABC News: Jasmine Hughes)
“The death of Hailee is tragic. Our thoughts remain with her family, loved ones and everyone affected by her loss,” the spokesperson said.
“While no system can eliminate all risks associated with complex mental health conditions, every recommendation represents an opportunity to strengthen care and improve outcomes for young people and their families, carers and significant others.”
If you need someone to talk to, call:Lifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36Headspace on 1800 650 890QLife on 1800 184 527
Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammat said she expected all recommendations from the review to be implemented in full.
“I acknowledge the immense pain her family continues to endure, and I want to assure Stacey that the findings of this review are being treated with the seriousness they warrant,” she said.
Teen dies hours after release from Perth hospital
“No review can undo the devastating loss of a child, but it is vital that we learn everything we can from tragedies like this to improve the care provided to other Western Australian families.
“I have written to the chief psychiatrist asking that they undertake a further investigation.”
WA’s chief psychiatrist has engaged a child and adolescent psychiatrist from New South Wales to lead the review of Hailee’s care, the circumstances surrounding her death, and opportunities for improvement.
Stacey said she wanted the outcomes of the reviews to be concrete.
“[We need to] learn from it, make the changes,” she said.