'Our son was failed by NHS in his final days'

Grieving city parents' claim over mental health response

- NICK HORNER News Reporter

A DEVASTATED Birmingham couple claim mental health patients are being “failed” by the NHS after they were told of their son’s death on Mother's Day.

Tyran Jones, of Northfield, had struggled with mental health issues, linked to his autism, for ten years before he died, aged 30, last month.

His family say he had made several attempts on his life and had pleaded to be sectioned for his own safety.

Tyran’s parents, Tina and Steve, say they feel he was failed by a health system which did not properly respond to his cries for help.

They were at their caravan in Worcester when their other son, Jamie, called on March 30, to say he had been found dead at his flat.

Mrs Jones said: “Tyran had autism, which comes with anxiety and depression.

“He was sectioned on November 18 last year at Queen Elizabeth Hospital but he came out in December.

“He had been admitted to a general medical ward and not a mental health one.”

In his last week, Tyran was sent to The Oleaster, a mental health hospital in Edgbaston, after a referral from the Longbridge Mental Health crisis team.

His family say he was told he could “come in for a bit” but he could not be admitted.