Death to be investigated

Police are investigating the death of a teenager who committed suicide after running away from Albany Hospital, where he was being treated for depression.

The parents of Jesse Dellar, 17, are demanding a coronial inquest into the death of their son, who took his own life after leaving Albany Hospital on November 27 last year.

Albany police have confirmed they are investigating the teenager’s death on behalf of the State Coroner, Alastair Hope, who will decide whether to hold an inquest.

The WA Country Health Service said recommendations from an internal review into his death were still being finalised.

It follows the inquest in 2009 into the death of 17-year-old Kieran Watmore, who died at the hospital in 2008 after being admitted for tonsillitis.

Jesse Dellar’s mother, Shelley Nottle, said her son should have been admitted to Albany Hospital’s G-Ward, a secure facility where mental health patients are kept under a high level of observation.

Ms Nottle said the hospital’s observation of her son had instead been scaled back and he had tried to commit suicide in his hospital room on the day he ran away from the faci-lity.

She said she was left with nothing but questions why her son had been able to escape hospital care when he was at risk of self-harm.

“I’m heartbroken because I’m never going to get my son back,” Ms Nottle said.

“He was a beautiful kid with all the friends in the world. He would be turning 18 in June. He never got to fall in love, get his licence or go to a pub.

“People say to me it’s going to get better, but it doesn’t. You feel at a loss every day you wake up. It’s torn me apart.”

WA Country Health Service Great Southern acting regional director Cindy Stainton said a team of health professionals had assessed Jesse Dellar’s hospital care following his death.

Ms Stainton said quality improvement measures were already being implemented as a result of the review.

“We will be discussing the findings of the review and quality improvements with the family,” Ms Stainton said.

Albany police Sergeant Derek Grimes said findings would go to the coroner next month.