A mum killed herself less than 24 hours after she tried to escape an ambulance and was sent home from the hospital, her grief-stricken family claim.
Denise Maher, 36, was being taken to the hospital to be treated for a drug overdose when she tried to burst out of an ambulance four times on Sunday afternoon, her nephew said.
Scott McCord, one of the family members who found her body on Monday, claims mum-of-three Ms Maher, from Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, was discharged hours later and taken home.
Her family claim she was released from hospital too soon and "without a safety net", and they have demanded answers from NHS Lanarkshire, the Daily Record reports.
The NHS has launched an investigation following her death.
Mr McCord, 21, said former carer Ms Maher was taken to hospital after she overdosed on prescription drugs.
He said police were called to restrain the mum and escort her to Wishaw General Hospital.
Fighting back tears, Mr McCord said: “Denise hadn’t been right for a few days, she wasn’t herself at all.
“Mentally she had been spiralling down hill. But we’re in total shock.”
He said she had made a desperate phone call to her ex-partner, Brian Keenan, on Sunday lunchtime, which led to a 999 call for help.
Her children – Amy, 16, Liam, 11, and seven-year-old Mikayla – lived with her, but were staying with their father at the time to mark the beginning of the October school holidays.
Mr McCord said: “She went through a few tests at Wishaw General and by 11pm doctors said it was safe for her to go home.
“We understand that the NHS have had major budget and staff cuts but I can’t believe they let her go home.
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