‘We have to be her voice now’ say heartbroken parents
‘MISSED OPPORTUNITIES’ OVER AMELIA’S DEATH SAYS INQUEST
HEALTHCARE bosses have apologised after a coroner ruled there were “missed opportunities” in the case of a woman who took her own life.
An inquest into the death of Amelia Rose was told she was found to have self-ligatured at the bottom of her bed at Millbrook Hospital in Sutton-in-ashfield.
She had struggled with her mental health for a few years.
After the incident, she was taken to King’s Mill Hospital where she died the following day, February 1, 2020.
It was claimed that there were issues with the 31-year-old’s care plan before her death.
The plan included 10-minute observations. It’s claimed that, at 1.50pm on January 31 year, a healthcare assistant documented that Amelia was in her bed space and that the 10-minute observation had been completed.
But it was later suggested that CCTV failed to show any observation being carried out from 12.59pm, when Amelia returned to her room from the communal area, to 1.53pm when she was found.
The five-day inquest concluded on Monday at Nottingham Coroners’ Court.
The jury found that Amelia most likely died by her own hands, but were unable to determine her intent.
They outlined “missed opportunities” to deal with Amelia’s distress at the time leading up to her death and Laurinda Bower, assistant coroner for Nottinghamshire, said Amelia did not receive the care she should have had.
The healthcare trust that runs Millbrook Hospital has apologised and said that staff would address the findings of the inquest.
Dr John Brewin, chief executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Amelia Rose at this difficult time.
“The quality of care we offer to patients is really important to us, and we commissioned an external investigation and have already implemented many of the recommendations from this to ensure improvements are made and maintained.
“Following the outcome of the inquest we will address the coroner’s comments and findings to ensure the significant learning points are shared throughout the trust.”
Amelia’s parents, Graham and Yvonne Dooley, said: “We take a little comfort from the conclusion and feel like some of our concerns have finally been listened to.
“Millbrook Hospital has provided some evidence to suggest that it is making the changes needed to ensure that what happened to Amelia doesn’t happen again.
“However, we feel that the multiple opportunities to help Amelia that were missed will stay with us forever.”
Her parents said that during her time in the community, Amelia lived at Hughendon Lodge, a supported living hostel in Mapperley run by the charity Framework.
“She volunteered there to help other residents who were also experiencing mental health issues.
“Despite everything she faced, our beautiful daughter was one of the kindest, most loving and caring people you could ever meet and the fact that hundreds of people attended her funeral is a testament to that,” Mr and Mrs Dooley said.
“Amelia was admired, respected, loved and an inspiration to everyone that knew her.
“Amelia really wanted to get better, but she didn’t know how to cope. All she wanted was a fair chance at life but she was utterly let down by the people who were supposed to be keeping her safe.
“We know we can’t bring her back but we don’t want Amelia’s death to be something that nobody learns from – or for other people to be unable to get the help they so desperately need. We have to be her voice now.”
Inquest specialists and solicitors Lucy Wilton and Rachel Benton, of the law firm Nelsons, have been assisting Amelia’s parents.
Ms Wilton said: “The inquest highlighted many concerns about missed opportunities in the period leading up to Amelia’s death. It is evident that she was experiencing serious mental health issues, but that she did not receive the care she required, especially on the day before her death.”
Our beautiful daughter was one of the kindest, most loving and caring people you could ever meet
Graham and Yvonne Dooley