1/1 THE family of a 38-year-old man who was found hanged at home said they feel like the NHS failed him after an urgent referral to the mental health team had not been carried out appropriately. Robert Whelan was found hanging at the house he was staying at in Jacob Street in Accrington on February 26. An inquest at Accrington Town Hall heard that on February 3, Robert had been rushed to Royal Blackburn Hospital after attempting to take his own life. Coroner Richard Taylor told the inquest that so severe were his injuries he had to be transferred to Royal Preston Hospital to undergo plastic surgery.