TRIBUTES have been paid to a dad-of-seven who tragically died after being "badly let down" by North Wales' health board.
Paul Anthony Roberts sadly died of self-inflicted knife wounds at his flat in Flint last August.
An inquest held into the 61-year-old's death held on Wednesday heard that the care given to him "wasn't good enough".
John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, issued two prevention of future death reports to Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board following the "unacceptable" nature of the case.
The health board has since apologised and has vowed to "learn and address" the concerns raised by the coroner.
Paul with some of his children (Image: UGC)
One of Paul's closest friends, Lynda Leigh, landlady of the George & Dragon pub in Flint, paid a touching tribute to him.
"He was amazing, he loved his family so much," Lynda said. "Paul was the best friend anyone could have, he had a very wicked sense of humour.
"He really would do anything for anybody, but when he needed help he was ignored.
"He is missed tremendously, not just by his family, but his friends, too."
Lynda knew Paul for 30 years - having worked on the door for her at Flint Sports & Social Club when she was the owner.
Following Paul's death, she set up a petition calling for an inpatient hospital in North Wales facility for men in immediate risk of self-harm.
Paul and his daughter, Sara. (Image: User generated content)
Touching on the way Paul, who was also a grandfather-of-14, was let down by the health care system, Lynda said: "He was let down from the start. Even with his last episode - for him to actually have to beg for help in the end and still it was to late.
"I don't want excuses anymore, I want actions put in place so this can never happen again and I will be back to the Senedd to make sure they are also putting something in place.
"Men's mental health issues are at an all time high and something has to be done urgently. I will not give up my quest to have a men's mental health unit with beds in every county in Wales."
In a report to the coroner, the health board said it would introduce leaflets to give to patients suffering with mental health issues in A+E, in a bid to signpost them to the correct service.
They were meant to be brought in by May of this year, but have yet to be introduced, much to the frustration of coroner Mr Gittins.
Lynda added: "I thought we had come to an agreement with Glan Clywd Hospital that anyone who turns up there with mental health issues would be red flagged immediately and taken to a quieter area away from A&E and given the proper immediate care needed. And now they turn around and say people will just be given a leaflet.
"My petition went to the Senedd and was heard and they said things will be put in place in the future - this clearly has not happened.
"I hold Betsi Cadwalder Health Board responsible for my best friend's death, leaving behind a devastated family knowing their dad was begging for help."
Carol Shillabeer, Chief Executive at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “On behalf of the Health Board I am profoundly sorry and offer my deepest sympathies to Paul’s family for their loss.
“The care Paul received fell below the standards we and his family would expect, and we sincerely apologise for this.
“We take the coroner’s findings very seriously and we will continue to ensure we learn and address the concerns raised in their conclusion. We will fully respond to his concerns in due course.”
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