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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Paul Behan

Concerns grow over missing patient who disappeared after leaving Ayrshire mental health unit

Concerns are growing for the safety and wellbeing of a patient who went missing five days ago from a mental health medical facility in Ayrshire.

Joseph Shields, 43, failed to return from agreed unescorted time out from Woodland View in Irvine.

Mr Shields disappeared on the morning of Thursday, June 24 after he was last seen leaving the grounds of the hospital.

He is described as 6ft 1in tall with a heavyset build, blue eyes, wears glasses, short dark hair, a scar on each cheek and scarring to the right-hand side of his head.

Mr Shields also has a large ‘tribal’ type tattoo around his right forearm.

When last seen, Mr Shields was wearing black trainer shoes, a blue checked shirt, navy denims and a grey Nike hoodie with a black band across the chest.

Dr Crawford McGuffie, medical director at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: “We are increasingly concerned for Mr Shields and want to ensure his wellbeing, so that he can be safely returned to Woodland View.

“Mr Shields should not be approached by the public and anyone who may have seen Mr Shields, or have information as to his whereabouts, should contact Police Scotland on 111.

“We are working with Police Scotland in order to ascertain his wellbeing and return him safely to the facility.”

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