Dear Editor,
It is an indictment that on the heels of the first jump to death at the national hospital, a second has occurred. Despite promises of review of protocols and monitoring of patients, it is difficult to understand how a patient on suicide watch could have been left unattended/ unwatched even for a brief moment. This is pure negligence and the hospital must take full responsibility.
Of course the usual verbiage about investigating, tightening, monitoring and reviewing are being given ample sound bites. It does not change the fact a life in crisis, entrusted into your care and attention has been snuffed out in a perceived careless manner. The hospital failed this patient just like it did the previous one. Heads ought to roll.