A Dundee mental health campaigner is urging NHS Tayside to provide the information needed for the Crown Office to determine whether or not to launch a probe into her uncle’s death.
David Ramsay took his own life in Templeton Woods in October 2016 after being turned away from the Carseview Centre at Ninewells Hospital. He was 50 years old.
Mr Ramsay’s niece, Gillian Murray wants the Crown Office to open a fatal accident inquiry into her uncle’s death.
But she has been told the Crown Counsel is waiting on information from NHS Tayside on improvements at the Carseview Centre before it decides whether to proceed.
Ms Murray said NHS Tayside was holding up the process by failing to respond to requests for information.
She said: “NHS Tayside have ignored them to this day. If Joe Public ignored a court citation or jury duty, we would likely be jailed.
“NHS Tayside are a law upon themselves. If the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal feel powerless, try to understand how bereaved families must feel fighting for answers.”
Ms Murray added: “Ultimately, the Crown is waiting on a response regarding the changes that have been made at Carseview since David’s death. It is laughable that their response will determine whether an FAI is held or not.
“The health board seem determined to torment my family by evading the truth. Without justice, there is no peace.”
An independent review into mental health services in Tayside it currently underway.
It was launched following complaints by Ms Murray and other relatives who lost loved ones after they were turned away from the Carseview Centre.
Ms Murray said: “I watched my uncle and my best mate literally lose his mind in front of me.
“I fight, not for financial gain because as a niece I am entitled to nothing, I fight out of love and love only, and that makes me one extremely tenacious individual because I will never stop fighting until I get the truth and justice for David.”
An NHS Tayside spokeswoman said: ““We can confirm that we have received a request for information from the Procurator Fiscal.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further.”
A Crown Office spokesman said: “The family are being kept up to date in relation to any significant developments.”