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URGENT ACTION REQUIRED - RISK TO LIFE POSED BY SWANSEA BAY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - PLEASE READ, SIGN AND SHARE. THANK YOU.

My name is Jacob Robertson and I am an 18-year-old student who was admitted to Ward F, Swansea Bay University Health Board following a suicide attempt on 11th February 2025 and remained there until 23rd April 2025 when I was transferred to Cefn Coed Hospital. I am writing this petition not just on behalf of myself but to raise awareness of severe safety breaches, negligence, and mistreatment that I endured during my admission—and to help ensure that no other vulnerable patient is put at the same risk.

I was hospitalised after negligence by my local GP who prescribed me with the incorrect dosage of sertraline at 100mg, despite BMF guidelines clearly stating that 50mg is the starting dosage. My mental health difficulties have gotten worse from this point onwards. I have been diagnosed with eupd/borderline personality disorder, PTSD and GAD but the mental health services are still failing to provide me with the treatment I require.

I should be in school enjoying my life, like everyone else my age gets to. I should be going to Prom this Friday but can't as I'm still stuck in hospital due to me not getting the support I need. I'm only 18 and am struggling significantly. The fact I've made several attempts on my life this year shows that, yet I'm still not getting the support I require. My life is at stake if I do not get the support I require. All I want is to be able to live a normal life.

Before my mental health crisis began, I was at Olchfa Sixth Form where I was studying a levels in Biology, Chemistry, Business and Welsh Bacc with myself having predicted grades of A*/A*/A*/A. I also have offers for Pharmacy at university. I usually work part time alongside my studies at a local ice cream parlour in Mumbles. I live at home in Swansea usually with my mother, step dad and younger brother. My life is currently on hold due to me not getting the support I need, and will continue to do so until my needs are met.

During my time on the ward, I experienced multiple failures in care, including:

1. Life-Threatening Safety Breaches
While detained and known to be at high risk of suicide, I was allowed to bring brazil nuts onto the ward via a Just Eat delivery, despite staff being fully aware of my life-threatening allergy. I consumed them in a suicide attempt, went into anaphylactic shock, and nearly died. The emergency ambulance team saved my life. This was entirely preventable had staff followed protocol and checked deliveries properly. I now have PTSD from this attempt. What is even more shocking, is the next day instead of recognising failures and my need of support my attempt was simply dismissed as being just 'attention seeking' by staff. As an 18-year-old who nearly died from a suicide attempt, I'm speaking out because my cry for help was cruelly dismissed as "attention-seeking." This isn't just wrong; it's dangerous. A suicide attempt is a desperate act born from immense pain, not a manipulative gesture. Invalidating my suffering and ignoring the serious risks involved shattered my trust in the very people meant to keep me safe, directly leading to a further attempt. This dismissal deepened my despair, made me feel even more isolated and ashamed, and tragically, put me at higher risk. This is also directly contradictory to NICE and NMC guidelines on suicidal behaviour and self harm.

 

 

 

 

On another occasion, while in a suicidal state, staff left the office door open, allowing me to escape the ward through the window and attempt to end my life. I was only found thanks to police intervention. Again, this was preventable had the ward been properly secured.
I also attempted to use an unsecured wardrobe in my room to harm myself. Even after this was reported, no measures were taken, and I remained in a room where I continued to feel unsafe.

 

 

2. Unprofessional Conduct and Dismissal of Psychiatric Risk

A nurse, Stephanie Williams, showed repeated unprofessionalism and outright hostility. I was once denied PRN lorazepam—medication prescribed by Dr. Provan—because I was told I was being "rude," despite being in obvious distress. My request was refused on subjective grounds—staff stated I was “not anxious”—despite clear signs of agitation. I subsequently attempted to jump the ward fence to take my own life. The situation escalated further due to Stephanie Williams’ dismissive and accusatory conduct, including the claim that I “tried to jump the fence because I didn’t get my own way.” These remarks were not only false but demonstrated a lack of understanding and compassion towards individuals with EUPD

Stephanie later lied to my mother, claiming that no notes existed from meetings with Dr. Provan and falsely stating that I didn’t have PRN lorazepam—both of which were untrue. These weren’t harmless misunderstandings. They were intentional acts of deception that put my safety at risk and caused emotional harm to my family.

The most upsetting moment was when my mother came to the ward after another suicide attempt and was met with hostility from Stephanie, who falsely accused her of tipping a table towards staff—a claim that was fabricated, physically impossible (due to her disability), and contradicted by police witnesses and body cam footage. This lie made it into official handover notes, violating the GDPR Act and deepening our distress.

Other nurses also stated my “relationship with staff had broken down”—language that made me feel inhuman, beyond help, and directly contributed to a suicide attempt later on.

Staff also ignored me when in distress instead preferring to claim my attempts to seek help were 'hostile'. I would often ask for help in distress and staff would either aggravate me further by antagonising me further - for example on one occasion when I was in severe emotional distress and attempting to leave the ward in order to end my life, Nurse Chloe inappropriately questioned 'why are you smiling?' when I was obviously not happy and her comment only exacerbated my distress. I was also accused of faking my anxiety despite me having a clear diagnosis of GAD, which includes visible symptoms of agitation and restlessness. On one occasion, staff accused me of faking my anxiety stating 'I was just bouncing my knees back and forth' to attempt to be agitated. My mother who knows me well would often point out me being agitated to staff and need of support yet staff just dismissed her opinion. This shows a direct lack of clinical sensitivity which contradicts NICE guidelines on GAD treatment and support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Psychiatric Negligence and Harmful Comments
Dr. Robertson, who replaced my original psychiatrist Dr. Provan without warning, was cold, dismissive, and frequently made comments that caused deep emotional harm. She told my mother to “get out” of meetings because she couldn't answer basic questions about my care, dismissed concerns about my care and safety, and even told me to "discharge yourself if you’re not happy"—despite knowing I was actively suicidal.

She made deeply traumatic remarks such as “we’ll have to look into making you homeless” and stated she had come to the reality that “you could kill yourself and not get any help.” These statements left me emotionally broken and led to further suicide attempts. After one further suicide attempt she told me "we predicted you'd be back" This was to expected though as I was sent on leave from the ward without adequate support in place. Her behaviour was not isolated; other staff had noted her inappropriate tone and lack of empathy.

These remarks were not only offensive, but dangerously damaging to someone with EUPD, like myself. They echoed in my head during mindfulness practices and were a trigger for another suicide attempt. These are not the words of someone trying to help a vulnerable patient—they are words that cause harm.

It is not just me that has had this experience - many others have had the same as me. I am sad that since my petition was published it has come to my attention that a patient of Dr Robertson's Jean Pike lost her life. According to Jean Pike's daughter and the prevention of death future deaths report, the doctor in question failed to admit her and give her safety when she clearly needed it which contributed to her losing her life. Instead, she dismissed her concerns about her safety in her cries for help and refused to admit her, without due reason for her actions. This resulted in her being implicated in a coroner's ruling of gross failure and neglect. I took a while in my decision whether to name her but as a psychiatrist she has people's lives in her hands so needs to be held accountable and appropriately disciplined for her failures. This is just like politicians are held accountable as ultimately she has lives in her hands - She still has her job despite her actions and in my opinion based on my own experience and that of others there is a risk to life posed by her continued practice. 

What is most concerning is that the coroner's report made reference to an internal investigation by Swansea Bay Health board which found there is 'evidence of regular and effective communication between support staff, community staff and hospital staff' which has certainly not been my experience to date, nor others. I call upon the health board to recognise their failures and not dismiss such concerns. A death occurred due to failures and changes need to be made to recognise this, such concerns should not just be dismissed. I nearly also lost my own life due to such failures too. The coroner's report can be read here if of interest - https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Jean-Pike-Prevention-of-Future-Deaths-Report-2025-0127.pdf 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Unlawful and Misleading Mental Health Assessments
In an assessment conducted by Dr. Sidiqui and Sian Heake, I was falsely told that being sectioned under Section 3 would prevent me from ever becoming a pharmacist or travelling abroad—statements that were inaccurate and coercive. This led me to be unable to fully disclose crucial information about my suicidal thoughts, and I made a serious suicide attempt shortly after.
Furthermore, though I was made an informal patient, I was told I wasn’t allowed to leave—this amounts to illegal de facto detention. Only after I raised the issue was it corrected. I should've been detained but they were far more concerned with avoiding paperwork rather than patient safety.

5. Neglect by the Swansea Crisis Team
The Swansea Crisis Team failed me. Despite being told I would get daily support following an assessment at Port Talbot Hospital, this support never came. I was told the crisis team would visit me daily in the home yet they failed to do so which contributed to the deterioration of my mental state whilst I was in crisis. They also failed to visit me daily whilst on leave from the ward as promised. Calls for help were met with dismissiveness, and on one occasion, the phone was hung up on me. Swansea Crisis Team also stated once in a meeting they have no "concerns about my mental health" despite knowing I was actively suicidal as I'd expressed in my daily check in phone calls and had acted on previous suicidal ideation.
After expressing suicidal thoughts and requesting hospitalisation, I was sent home with only breathing exercises. I then attempted to take my life by climbing a four-story car park—an incident that police had to respond to. This could have been prevented.

6. Broken Promises and Chaotic Communication
Dr. Provan promised me a care coordinator and told me I could return to the ward during leave if I became distressed. Yet, when I desperately called back during a crisis, I was refused re-entry by nurse Stephanie—again, putting my life in danger.

Worse still, my care plan falsely stated there were “no psychological concerns,” despite my repeated suicide attempts and diagnosis. I was misrepresented to the Community Mental Health Team, delaying the DBT therapy I urgently need.

I’ve been constantly told my referral was “being chased,” only to find out it wasn’t. Nurses also lied to me stating that Dr Provan had not set out plans for me to have 'dbt' and 'care coordination' before his departure. They also kept telling me I might not get the help I require. My much needed help was promised to me and then taken away. These lies, omissions, and miscommunications led to weeks of unnecessary suffering. It also created a profound sense of hopelessness which led to further attempts on my life and my emotional state was significantly heightened by their attitude towards arranging the help I require.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Delayed Access to Essential Therapy and Support
I was promised access to DBT therapy and a full-time care coordinator—both of which I still do not have. The CPN I’ve been assigned only works two days a week, which is completely inadequate for my diagnosis of EUPD, GAD and PTSD. I need consistent, full-time support and a support worker to cover any absences to ensure continuity. Several psychiatrists and a social worker have stated that I need this.
I have waited 11 weeks for a proper community mental health assessment and still do not have a written Care and Treatment Plan. I need inpatient therapy to stabilise, followed by long-term DBT in the community. I continue to experience daily suicidal thoughts and frequent self-harm, and the ongoing delays are putting my life at risk.

8. Failure to Provide Proper Documentation and Patient Rights:
I was repeatedly told that my referral for a care coordinator was being pursued, yet when I contacted the community mental health team directly, they informed me that no action had been taken. This failure in communication resulted in delays in receiving the critical support I need. Furthermore, I was denied access to my medical records, despite being legally entitled to them under the GDPR Act, and my consultant having given full approval. This failure to provide access to my own health records has hindered my ability to address these concerns in a timely manner.

I am only 18. I’ve been through trauma after trauma. I was bullied for several years whilst dealing with my Dad's mental illness and the break down of my sister's adoption. I've been isolated and excluded by people my own age. I've been through three schools and been bullied all through my comprehensive school years. I've been stalked in the gym and had harmful videos of me on a treadmill with derogatory comments about myself shared. I've been told 'nobody likes me', 'everyone hates me', 'I'll be beaten up', 'I'm a spec', 'to go kill myself'.  These events have all contributed to my mental health conditions and poor mental health. A psychologist told I have been through more than the average 18 year old if not more than some go through in their life. All I’ve ever asked for is help—but the people meant to protect me and help me made me feel worse.

I am asking for:
• An independent investigation into the conduct of Ward F and the Swansea Crisis Team, with improvement in standards made based on my experience and those of others.                

• Acknowledgment and rectification of all failures from my formal complaints, as well as a public apology.

• Disciplinary review of staff involved, particularly Dr. Robertson and Nurse Stephanie Williams.

• Immediate action to ensure safe ward procedures, including delivery checks, secure furnishings, and proper patient observation.

• Guaranteed and timely access to:
• DBT therapy, starting during inpatient care;
• A full-time care coordinator and support worker

• A high level of support from Swansea Crisis Team upon my discharge with daily home visits in place so my needs are met                               

• A detailed, written Care and Treatment Plan.

• Immediate access to my medical records without further delay (finally released weeks later after being illegally withheld on 22/05/2025)

• Enforcement of GDPR compliance regarding patient rights and record access.

•  A review of prescribing of antidepressants by GPs in Wales for young people such as myself and a review into the conduct of my GP at Mumbles Medical practice

• The Welsh Government to use my experience to date as a catalyst for change by making improvements to community mental health services and inpatient services in the Swansea Bay Health Board region

• A review of suicide preventation plans by the Welsh Government

NICE guidelines for the treatment of borderline personality disorder state ‘Patients should be treated with dignity and respect’ which has clearly not been the case given my experience to date.

Please, I’m asking for help. Since moving to Cefn Coed on 23rd April, things have improved but my care needs still aren't being met. I’m asking for DBT therapy, a full time care coordinator, and a support worker who can provide the consistent care and understanding that I need to start recovering. Several psychiatrists have stated I need DBT therapy as the recommended treatment for my condition yet this still hasn't been in place, alongside a full time care coordinator and support worker as my social worker recommended. I’m asking for the safety, respect, and dignity that every human deserves. I am not just a case number or another person to be ignored. I am a young person fighting for my life, and I need a system that can help me win this fight. 

Every day I deal with:

• Overwhelming emotions that come on suddenly and intensely.

• Self-destructive urges that are frightening and often feel impossible to control.

• Flashbacks and trauma triggers that leave me dissociated for hours.

• Crippling anxiety and an inability to regulate fear and panic in everyday situations.

• Interpersonal chaos

• Suicidal thoughts and ideation

These symptoms are not going to disappear without structured and intensive treatment. I’ve done my research, spoken to professionals. I know that DBT is the therapy that can help me build the skills I need to survive.

DBT isn’t just another talking therapy. It provides:

• Emotion regulation strategies to help me understand and manage overwhelming feelings.

• Distress tolerance tools that are crucial in crisis moments, helping me stay safe instead of harming myself.

• Interpersonal effectiveness techniques to maintain healthier relationships and communicate my needs more clearly.

• Mindfulness training that grounds me in the present moment, reducing the impact of trauma and anxiety.

All of these things are critical for someone like me. Without them, I’m left in a constant loop of emotional instability and self-destruction.

My experiences on Ward F have only reinforced the feeling that I am being failed by a system that should be helping me. On Ward F, I felt trapped. I had very little engagement with staff, and when I did speak to someone, it felt like they were only doing the bare minimum. I would try to express how unsafe and overwhelmed I felt, but often, my concerns were dismissed. The ward was filled with a sense of neglect; people who were clearly in distress were left to struggle without meaningful intervention. I remember feeling like I was invisible — I was just another patient in a system that wasn’t listening. Instead of feeling safe and supported, I felt isolated and overlooked. The ward felt more like a holding place than a place for recovery. I remember sitting in the day room for hours with nothing to do, feeling the weight of my struggles grow heavier with every minute. I was unable to access the kind of therapeutic support I desperately needed, and my emotional state only worsened as the hours turned into days. The few moments I did have with staff often felt like they were just going through the motions, not truly seeing me as an individual in need of care. I do not want to go through this again. I do not want to be left alone when I am at my most vulnerable. 

It is not just me who has been failed by Swansea Bay Mental Health services as many others have been failed over the years yet services continue to underperform and underdeliver - struggling patients deserve better. Due to the negligence of Ward F there has been 3 deaths in the last few years including Jean Pike, Andrew Davies and Dr. Nicholas Kim Harrison. Swansea Bay Health board need to step up and improve their services instead of just dismissing concerns otherwise history will simply continue to repeat itself. I was nearly the fourth coroners report associated with Ward F and am speaking up as the current state of Swansea Bay Mental Health services poses a continuing risk to life in my view.

✊ Stand With Me
I don’t want pity. I want justice. I want to be heard. I want other young people in crisis to be safe and treated like human beings.

Please sign this petition if you believe:

• Mental health care should never cause more trauma
• No young person should be left to fight for their survival alone
• People like me deserve support, not silence. 

Please support this petition to ensure no other vulnerable young person is placed at risk like I was. I am calling on the Welsh Government to use my poor experience to date as a catalyst for change. The mental health services are failing young people such as myself in Wales and need to do better.

Many thanks for your support. I also want to add thanks to my friends and family who have been here for me through what continues to be a very difficult time in my life.

All details provided are correct and accurate and can be evidenced by my medical records as well as others experiences and coroners reports associated with Swansea Bay Mental Health Services. If you believe you can support please don't hesitate to get in touch with me, as I campaign for the help I deserve and also others like me who are less able to speak up.

Be sure to keep up to date with the status of my petition via updates which will shared on this petition and my Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacobr6036. I will continue to update supporters regularly of the status of my campaign including any relevant contact with politicians as well as the health board who I continue to pursue the case with.

Please share and also see my fundraiser by clicking here if you can support. Fundraiser

Kind regards,

Jacob Robertson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evidence of others experiences - not just me!

Medical records extracted to evidence - contradictions and promises not upheld

Meeting notes for meetings regarding petition - outline of full issues and calls for change based on them

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Legal disclaimer 

I have named Dr. Robertson in this petition because she is a public-facing NHS psychiatrist whose clinical decisions and conduct directly impacted my safety and wellbeing, and, in my view, contributed to serious harm. The statements I have attributed to her are based on my own lived experience, contemporaneous records, and documented communications during my time under her care. These include remarks such as “you could kill yourself and not get any help,” “we’ll have to look into making you homeless,” and “discharge yourself if you’re not happy,” which are documented in my medical notes or recalled clearly from interactions in clinical settings.

In naming her, I am exercising my legal right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998, and raising concerns in the public interest, particularly in light of the Coroner’s finding of neglect in the death of Jean Pike, another patient under her care. This is not done out of malice or personal vendetta, but from a genuine concern for patient safety and accountability in mental health care. 

All my statements are either true, based on official records, or represent my honest opinion formed through direct experience, supported by corroborating accounts from others. Under UK defamation law, truth, honest opinion, and matters of public interest are all recognised defences. I believe the public has a right to be aware of these concerns, especially where vulnerable lives are at risk.