Man who killed himself in Blackpool hospital was badly failed, says mother

Julie Knowles, Pearson’s mother, said her son was left for hours in a ‘depressing’ room with other patients. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

A 27-year-old man who killed himself in a hospital toilet after waiting nearly 24 hours to see a mental health professional was badly failed by the NHS, his mother has said.

Jamie Pearson was admitted to Blackpool Victoria hospital’s A&E department after taking an overdose of high-strength painkillers on 17 August.