Dear supporters,

After several long months, I am finally out of hospital and discharged from inpatient mental health services. This is a significant milestone in my recovery and a moment to reflect — not only on the personal progress I’ve made, but on the serious systemic failures that made this journey so much harder than it should have been.

I want to thank everyone who has continued to support this petition and campaign, and I owe you an honest and detailed update on what has happened since my last post. A lot has unfolded — both personally and within the health board. This update is long, but it’s important that all details are documented.

🌱 Recovery and Return to Education
Being discharged marks the end of a deeply traumatic chapter. The months I spent in inpatient care were some of the most difficult of my life. While I am relieved to be home, the emotional and psychological impact of that experience remains profound. The trauma of what happened within those walls does not simply disappear upon discharge — it takes time and the right support to process.

I’ve now returned to sixth form to resit my final year of A Levels. It’s daunting — a new year group, unfamiliar faces, and the challenge of re-entering academic life after everything I’ve been through. But I am determined. My goal is to complete my education and continue using my experience to advocate for change.

The Continuing Campaign for Accountability
Leaving hospital hasn’t marked the end of my journey — it’s the beginning of a new stage in this campaign. I have made a commitment to ensure that the serious failings I experienced are not repeated, and that those responsible are held to account.

Over recent months, numerous current and former patients have reached out to share their own stories of neglect and mistreatment within the same mental health services. The similarities between our experiences are striking and disturbing. It proves that what happened to me was not an isolated incident — it is part of a systemic pattern of neglect, dishonesty, and mismanagement within the health board’s mental health care system.

Meeting with Head of Forensics (Investigator)
Last week, I met with the Head of Forensics, who is the lead investigator overseeing my case. The meeting was constructive and offered some insight into ongoing internal reform efforts. She told me that work is under way to modernise mental health services within the health board — something that is long overdue.

We discussed at length the failures that led to my deterioration and hospitalisation. I emphasised that Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) and Crisis Teams must become more effective if they are to serve their purpose — preventing people from reaching crisis point.

My own admission could likely have been prevented if adequate community support had been available from the outset. Instead, I was left to deteriorate until my condition worsened so severely that I was sectioned — a process that should never have been necessary. In truth, what should have been an informal admission became a traumatic section due to systemic failure and lack of early intervention.

The investigator also spoke about a proposed service reorganisation, with plans for the health board to bring all mental health services together on a single site — potentially relocating Ward F to the Cefn Coed Hospital site alongside community and crisis teams. This, she explained, would aim to improve communication, integration, and continuity of care. Currently, Ward F is isolated in Port Talbot, far from other key services — a separation that directly contributes to poor coordination and patient outcomes.

Professional Misconduct and Disciplinary Concerns
A central focus of our meeting was accountability for the staff whose actions and behaviour caused serious harm. I raised detailed concerns about the conduct of multiple professionals, including both nurses and doctors involved in my care.

I was informed that disciplinary processes are being taken seriously by the Medical Director and that specific action is being pursued in relation to one doctor whose conduct has been particularly alarming. While I recognise that people can learn and improve, this must be conditional on genuine accountability and a demonstrated willingness to change. Repeated misconduct without consequences cannot continue.

I reminded the investigator of the severe personal impact these professionals’ actions had on me — and how similar harm has been reported by other patients. She confirmed that she is aware of multiple other complaints concerning the same individuals, further proving that these are not isolated failings but recurrent patterns that demand strong disciplinary enforcement.

I continue to have grave concerns about Dr. Robertson, a senior figure within the service, who was implicated in the coroner’s ruling of neglect in the case of Jean Pike. The fact that a doctor previously found to have contributed to a patient’s death through neglect remains in post raises fundamental questions about accountability and patient safety within the health board.

This is part of a wider culture where doctors appear shielded from consequences, even in the face of serious findings. Until that culture changes, no reform can be truly effective.

Even more alarming are the revelations surrounding Dr. Sian Heke, the doctor who coerced me during my mental health assessment, leading to what I believe was an improper and unethical Mental Health Act assessment.

I have since discovered that Dr. Heke was suspended by the General Medical Council (GMC) from March 2021 to November 2022, after being found guilty of serious misconduct and dishonesty.

According to the GMC’s official findings, she:

• Conducted Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) assessments while on sick leave,
• Lied to her supervisor about doing so,
• Was cautioned at Neath Police Station under Section 1(3) of the Fraud Act 2006, and
• Failed to disclose these actions to the GMC, breaching her duty of honesty and integrity.

Even more shockingly, this was not the first time. In 2007, she had another criminal conviction which she also failed to disclose to the GMC.

Despite these multiple breaches of honesty, she continues to practise. This represents an appalling failure of regulation and oversight. Patients deserve doctors who are trustworthy, transparent, and ethical — not individuals with proven histories of deceit.

You can read the full GMC record here: https://www.gmc-uk.org/registrants/4310392.

Defamation and Retaliation for Speaking Out
Perhaps most concerning of all, I have recently been informed by another patient that a mental health nurse within the community has been speaking about me in a derogatory and defamatory way — reportedly describing me as “a nasty piece of work” and a “troublemaker.”

It is deeply troubling that this is the way staff refer to patients who have the courage to speak out about systemic abuse and failings.

Such language is unprofessional, unethical, and revealing. It exposes a culture within mental health services that labels and discredits anyone who challenges authority or demands accountability. Instead of reflecting on their failures, some staff choose to attack the character of those who call for change.

This behaviour also raises serious concerns about confidentiality and professionalism. No staff member should ever discuss a patient in such terms, especially in a way that undermines their reputation and wellbeing. It contradicts everything the health board claims about “learning from experience” and “valuing patient voice.”

If the health board is sincere about improving and learning, it must address the culture that allows professionals to stigmatise and slander patients for simply telling the truth. Retaliation against whistle-blowers and survivors is not reform — it is abuse of power.

Complaint Review, Legal Barriers, and Ongoing Issues
I also discussed the review of my complaint conducted by the Head of Mental Health and the health board’s legal team. I was told that the review was conducted independently, without interference. However, I remain sceptical — the outcome and written response did not go far enough, and much of the systemic failure remains unaddressed, with the health board reluctant to admit any breach of duty has occurred.

Even more concerning, my solicitors are being denied access to my full up to date medical records, which they require to properly assess my case. This obstruction of access to records is unacceptable and further undermines transparency and accountability. My solicitors have now written to the health board demanding disclosure. 

Read their letter here - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E9ugqh2GumRrd0d5bzAlFStJxjMWj0Vw/view?usp=sharing

Additionally, I continue to be denied DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) — a treatment that has been repeatedly recommended for my diagnosis and wellbeing. The health board’s refusal and their dismissive complaint response have been shocking.

Because internal processes have failed to provide a fair or transparent resolution, I am now preparing to escalate my entire case — including the denial of DBT therapy, professional misconduct and breach of multiple guidelines — to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

This escalation is not a decision I take lightly. It is, however, necessary. The Ombudsman exists to ensure independent oversight and justice when public bodies — including NHS health boards — fail to meet their duties of care, honesty, and fairness.

The aim of this escalation is to:

• Secure an independent review of my entire case, free from internal bias;
• Ensure the systemic failings that led to my deterioration are properly investigated;
• Hold the health board accountable for the continued denial of specialist DBT therapy and breach of guidelines; and
• Prevent other patients from facing the same neglect

The health board has had ample opportunity to take responsibility. They have failed to do so. The Ombudsman is now the next step — not just for me, but for the countless others who have been failed by the system. 

Collaborative Progress: Patients Driving Change
Amid all this, there are glimmers of hope. A fellow former patient who is part of the campaign recently met with the Ward F Manager, and their discussion was productive. They explored introducing volunteers to provide patient advocacy and support, and crucially, increasing activities and therapeutic engagement on the ward.

During my several months as an inpatient, there was nothing for patients to do — no structured activities, no real therapeutic engagement. Most days consisted of sitting in isolation, left alone with your thoughts. This environment does not foster recovery — it deepens suffering. The fact that these issues are finally being discussed is a positive step, and I commend my fellow patient for her hard work and persistence.

Additional Complaints and Lack of Accountability
I have also finally received a response to my complaint regarding my GP’s handling of antidepressant medication.

The response was extremely disappointing. Once again, there is no accountability and no recognition of the harm caused. I will share their responses in full in an upcoming update, as the public deserves to see how mental health complaints are being routinely minimised or dismissed.

🕊️ Moving Forward
While I am finally in a much better place personally — physically and mentally — this fight is far from over. My goal now is to ensure that no other patient has to endure what I and many others have suffered.

The culture of neglect, dishonesty, and impunity within mental health services must end. There must be transparency, reform, and consequences for those who violate their professional duties.

I will continue to push for genuine reform, accountability, and patient-centred care.

To everyone who has supported me, shared your stories, or reached out privately — thank you. You remind me every day why this campaign matters. Together, we can ensure that the neglect prevalent in services comes to an end.

Many thanks,

Jacob Robertson