Patient hurt after hospital window leap

AN investigation has been launched after a patient at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital leapt from a third-floor window after escaping from staff.

The man, who was admitted to the hospital with mental health issues the night before, jumped from the ledge after an early-morning incident at the psychiatric hospital.

The patient, believed to be in his 20s, fell up to 35 feet at around 7.10am yesterday, leaving him with severe pelvic injuries.

He was admitted to the hospital’s Balcarres Ward the night before he jumped, although the incident is not being treated as a suicide attempt.

Jackie Sansbury, chief operating officer at NHS Lothian, said: “We can confirm that an incident took place concerning a patient at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

“We will be undertaking an internal investigation but cannot comment on individual patient cases.”

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “Police were called to attend at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital after a man was injured going out of a window. He did not suffer any serious injury,. However, he was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.”