Man who Nicola Sturgeon pledged to help two years ago still waiting for release from mental health unit
Parents say 21-year-old son suffering ‘unnecessary chronic pain’
A couple who feared for their son’s life following “extremely concerning” incidents at a Dundee mental health unit say he remains locked in the same facility despite Nicola Sturgeon pledging to look into his care two years ago.
Ryan Caswell, 21, was first detained at Carseview mental health unit in January 2020 and is currently classed as a delayed discharge. He has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and a learning disability, and has significant communication issues.
During his four-and-a-half years at Carseview, Ryan has been kept in a learning disability assessment unit – a supposedly temporary setting that those close to his case say is deeply inadequate for his needs.
The Sunday Post reported previously how families across Scotland are fighting to have their loved ones freed as hundreds of people with learning disabilities and autism remain locked in inappropriate secure wards. Campaigners warn they
are leaving care suffering from trauma that will take years to recover from.
Ryan’s parents, Paul and Irene Caswell, worried for his safety after he endured months of what they described as “unnecessary chronic pain” at Carseview.
They allege that he has, at times, been sedated and restrained instead of being given proper medical treatment.
Two years ago, Nicola Sturgeon – when she was first minister – told MSPs details of Ryan’s case sounded “unacceptable”.
However, we can reveal that no-one
from the Scottish Government has ever reached out to Ryan’s family.
Paul, 66, said he believes that is because ministers do not want to know about the reality facing families like his.
He said: “There are too many stories like Ryan’s across Scotland. They are in the wrong place and not being supported.
“It’s not good for him. He can’t live a life there. You’re talking about a locked ward. There’s nothing for him to do there. It’s a very bleak outlook for people in that kind of setting.”
Ryan’s parents intervened after learning that he was only going on a 30-minute walk once a week on the ward.
They now take him to weekly horse riding and drumming lessons. The couple say it demonstrates how Ryan could flourish in the correct setting.
Paul added: “If we can get the right support package and get him in the correct setting, that would transform Ryan’s life. He’s lived almost a fifth of his life in a mental health ward. That’s a long time for a young lad to be stuck in hospital.
“He hasn’t committed a crime – he has a disability. He has endured so much suffering where he is that it would be nice to think there would be some good times ahead for Ryan.”
Ryan’s case was raised by North East MSP Michael Marra at First Minister’s Questions in May 2022.
Sturgeon said his treatment “sounds to me to be unacceptable”. She told Marra she wanted to “look further into that” and would reply either directly or through the health secretary.
In February and May last year, Ryan’s care was again raised in Parliament during debates on mental health services.
Marra then mentioned the case in a letter to Social Care Minister Maree Todd and again during a meeting with her in July that year.
Despite politicians repeatedly calling for Ryan’s situation to be investigated
as a matter of urgency, no community placement has yet been found.
Marra, a Labour MSP, described Ryan’s ordeal as “heartbreaking”. He said: “It is clear that Carseview is a deeply inappropriate setting for Ryan, yet years have passed and nothing has changed.
“This has caused unbearable distress for Ryan and his family.
“Precisely nothing has been done. The Scottish Government and the health board must act now to find a suitable place for Ryan.”
We asked the Scottish Government why no-one has ever been in contact with the Caswells and whether it will now reach out.
We also asked what actions were taken by Nicola Sturgeon and her government after May 2022.
The government answered none of these questions and ignored a follow-up inquiry.
Maree Todd said she was unable to comment on individual patients but said it was “distressing to hear of the difficulties Ryan and his family are facing”.
She added that she was committed to ensuring the government delivers on its commitments to reduce inappropriate out-of-area placements and delayed discharges.
Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, which is responsible for finding community placements, and NHS Tayside both said they cannot comment on individual cases but they were in regular contact with Ryan’s family.
NHS Tayside added that everyone involved in Ryan’s care wants to see him transition to the most appropriate accommodation tailored to his needs in a community setting and will continue to work towards this outcome.