Tragic Lauren ‘failed by NHS and the police’
HEALTH TRUST ADMITS MISTAKES WERE MADE IN CARE OF VULNERABLE WOMAN, 23, WHO TOOK HER OWN LIFE
THE family of an aspiring veterinary nurse who took her own life say they hope no other family will have to endure the pain and suffering that they have, after an inquest found she was let down by medics.
Lauren Finch, 23, died at the Royal Bolton Hospital last year, a week after she was found hanged in her room at Atherleigh Park Hospital in Leigh, where she was a patient.
Following an inquest at Bolton Coroners Court, the jury concluded that Lauren, from Wigan, died as a result of suicide and left a number of critical findings.
They found that the risk of Lauren taking her own life was not properly assessed and observation levels on the ward were not correct.
She managed to abscond from the hospital the day before she was found hanged and was restrained by police, which the jury said would have had an impact on her state of mind.
All of these factors were said to have probably contributed to Lauren’s death.
In a statement, Lauren’s family said the services they entrusted to look after their ‘precious Lauren’ had failed her, adding: “We hope that this inquest will prevent further deaths in the future and that no other family will have to endure the pain and suffering we have.”
During the eight-day inquest, the jury heard how Lauren had tried to take her own life on several occasions in the months before her death - and had escaped from the Westleigh Unit in Atherleigh Park several times.
Lauren’s mental health began deteriorating in secondary school and she was diagnosed with emotional unstable personality disorder, anxiety and depression.
Between March and September 2018, she was admitted to Atherleigh Park six times after making repeat attempts to take her own life.
Lauren’s mum said she could not understand why her daughter kept being discharged without any care arrangements in place, despite repeated suicide attempts.
Lauren managed to abscond from the unit twice in the days before her death and was restrained by police officers at Lilford Park.
Mrs Finch said the incident left her daughter ‘petrified’ and with bruising to her ribs and the side of her body.
The next day, while Lauren was asleep on the ward, her observations were downgraded from every 10 minutes to every 30 minutes.
This decision was made without awareness of the incidents that had taken place over the weekend and without review of the records.
HM Assistant Coroner Rachel Galloway announced her intention to make a Prevention of Future Deaths Report in respect of the implementation of the observation policy and record keeping.
Deborah Coles, Director of INQUEST Lawyers Group who represented Lauren’s family, said: “All the warning signs were there, but Lauren was failed not only by mental health services but the police, both of whom had a responsibility to keep her safe.
“The serious risks of restraint on people with mental ill-health are well recognised.
“We are seeing repeated patterns of failure, ill treatment and neglect in the care of women in secure mental health settings.
“These are hospitals where women should be safe and their human rights protected.”
After the inquest, John Heritage, chief operating officer at North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We know we made mistakes during Lauren’s care and have openly admitted these failings as part of the inquest process. We wholeheartedly apologise to Lauren’s family for these shortcomings and the understandable distress this has caused.
“A comprehensive investigation took place immediately after Lauren’s death and changes have been made to help minimise the risk of any similar incidents occurring in the future.”