Here are a couple of articles reporting on the Inquest into Mac's death at Calvary Private Hospital Psychiatric Unit, Hyson Green.

Prescribed drug 'may have contributed' to death

A psychiatrist who treated a man who killed himself while in care at Calvary Hospital, has given evidence at the coronial inquest into his death.

Malcolm West had a long history of depression and bipolar disorder when he killed himself in his room at Calvary Hospital's private mental health unit, Hyson Green, in June last year.

His family requested a coronial inquest because of concerns about Mr West's treatment.

They say his level of supervision was lowered the day before he killed himself.

They also say one of the medications he was prescribed, Lamictal, is known to increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in bipolar patients.

Dr John Saboisky told the ACT Coroner's Court, he prescribed Lamictal to Mr West about three weeks before he killed himself.

But he said research shows only one in 530 patients using the drug have increased suicidal inclinations.

He said the drug may have contributed to Mr West's death, but that cannot be proven.

Hyson Green nurse manager Michelle Garner also told the court, supervision procedures at the hospital have changed since Mr West's death.

She said any patient who has suicidal thoughts but no actual plans to kill themselves is now automatically raised to supervision level two, which requires nurses to check more regularly on the patient.

Supervision level

Yesterday the inquest heard from locum psychiatrist Katherine Lubbe who was treating Mr West at the time of his death.

She said she believed it was reasonable to lower Mr West's level of supervision.

The day before he died, Mr West told Dr Lubbe he wanted to go for a walk.

She agreed, lowering his level of supervision.

Under questioning, Dr Lubbe said she believed that was appropriate.

She said, she cannot read people's minds but she uses clinical judgement to assess a patient's level of risk.

Psychiatric patient 'did not want to die'

ABC Local News (ACT). By Vivienne Nunis. Updated November 10, 2010 16:54:00

Malcolm West checked himself into Calvary Hospital's private mental health unit in May last year.

Family members have spoken of the husband and father who killed himself while getting treatment at a Canberra private mental health unit.

Malcolm West, 57, was known as Mac to his family and friends.

He suffered depression for 30 years and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Mr West checked himself into Hyson Green, Calvary Hospital's private mental health unit, in May last year.

A few days later a nurse found him dead in his room.

His family requested a coronial inquest because of concerns about Mr West's treatment.

They say his level of supervision was lowered the day before he killed himself and he was prescribed a medication that is known to increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in bipolar patients.

Today his wife, Sally Richards, and son, Timothy West, read statements in the ACT Coroner's Court.

Ms Richards said her husband did not want to die.

She said he would have recovered from his latest episode because he always did.

She broke down before saying, "unfortunately Mac never got the chance."

Timothy West said he sincerely hopes what has had happened to them does not happen to another family.

The inquest has been adjourned.

Coroner Maria Doogan will hand down her findings into the cause and manner of Mr West's death at a later date.