Mental health services back in the media spotlight

Posted 14/10/2016 By: Ben Ward

On Friday 14 October, a major feature on the Six O’Clock News on BBC One illustrated the dire financial situation confronting mental health services in this country. It reported on the death of Norwich man Neil Jewell and featured his sister, Mrs Christine Welfare and brother-in-law Mr Edward Welfare. Both are clients of Ashtons Legal and of Ben Ward, one of the firm’s medical negligence specialists.

Ben has been working with the BBC in their investigation in co-operation with the family, but Ashtons Legal and the family will have a further story to tell on Monday. It will be about how the financial strictures on mental health provision led to the crisis in lack of provision which brought Neil Jewell into his dreadful state, as well as the negligence which eventually led to his death.

Journalists wanting to pursue this further over the weekend should call Peter Thurlow on 01728 685673. Otherwise, the media will be briefed in the normal way on Monday.