A MAN has spoken of a traumatic ordeal after he was confronted by a patient who had absconded from a nearby mental health hospital.

Michael Mayfield, who lives on Humbles Wood Estate in Prudhoe, has been left fearing for his health after a patient from Ferndene attempted to get into his home and obtain a knife.

The patient had absconded from the hospital car park, and was bleeding from a head wound at the time.

Mr Mayfield said: “I was in the house with my wife and we saw a patient walking on the street. They came and knocked on our house.

“My wife opened the door with me behind her.

"The patient had a tube coming out of their nose and was bleeding from a large patch of raw flesh on her head.

“They said they wanted a knife. It was obvious to me they wanted it to self-harm.”

When the couple refused to let the patient in, they attempted to gain entry by force - but Mr Mayfield and his wife managed to stop them.

However, the patient then went into another house. Mr Mayfield and the man living at that address managed to restrain the patient between them and take them back to Ferndene - but they were then faced with a second issue.

He continued: “I had to shout at the woman to be let in. When we got in, I demanded she get some staff - but she said she didn’t have any.

“She rang the alarm and five staff turned up and restrained the patient.”

After the incident, Mr Mayfield asked if the patient had any infectious diseases that he should know about, as he had been in contact with bodily fluids.

However, staff at the trust refused to tell him on the grounds of patient confidentiality.

It meant he and his wife had to drive a 100 mile round-trip to get a coronavirus test, before heading to the RVI in Newcastle for blood tests.

He has since been told by senior management at Ferndene that he has nothing to be concerned about - but remains worried.

He added: “They have just said the patient has got nothing that I need to worry about, but I can’t sleep at night. They could have made the decision to just tell me in the first place.

“The fact I don’t know if I have something that could be killing me - when I lie down I feel like I’m drowning, because I think something is killing me.

“We still had the blood tests and were advised to get Hep B jabs which have side affects.”

The trust which operates Ferndene issued a statement following the incident.
Gary O’Hare, executive director of nursing and chief operating officer at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust said the trust had apologised to residents and an investigation had been launched.

He said: “We have been in contact with residents of Humbles Wood Estate about this incident to apologise for the distress caused. 

“As a healthcare provider we are bound by our duty to protect patient confidentiality, therefore we have undertaken a risk assessment which enabled us to provide reassurance to those affected that there is nothing to indicate any risk to them from Covid 19 transmission.

“We are in the process of thoroughly investigating this incident, and will make any necessary improvements which are identified as a result.

“The Trust has extensive experience of providing safe and supportive services for young vulnerable people within the heart of our local communities, improving patient pathways to provide the best possible quality of care. 

“By operating our medium secure facilities alongside the existing Ferndene inpatient facility for children and young people, we aim to help reduce the number of local children and young people having to receive treatment many miles from their home, reduce lengths of stay and provide a comprehensive pathway for children and young people from the North East.”

The trust is also facing calls from Coun. Gordon Stewart, who represents Prudhoe South, to tighten up their security.

Work to improve security at the site in order to cater for medium secure patients is set to get underway in the coming months - but Coun. Stewart feels something needs to be done now. 

He said: “I am aware of several recent incidents relating to young patients leaving the confines of the hospital as they are apparently being returned there from a period of leave.

“I have serious concerns over the safety of the young people, the local residents , staff and the wider community.

“I am in detailed discussions with senior officials from the trust, several residents, the police and Guy Opperman MP.

“I am also looking for answers as to how these incidents have occurred and asking for both short term & long term measures to be put into place as a matter of some urgency to try to ensure there is no reoccurance.”