Inquest told one paid £40 for four ‘wraps’
AHEROIN dealing racket went on between patients at a secure mental hospital.
The revelations come after three male patients from the Prospect Place unit at Birch Hill Hospital, were admitted to A&E after taking diamorphine, a form of heroin, at the unit.
Patients in the unit, which consists of 45 beds for men aged 18 to 65 who are detained under the Mental Health Act, were able to buy and sell smuggled drugs from under the noses of health workers, an inquest heard.
David Lowe, 31, later died following his admission to Fairfield Hospital after presenting with symptoms of agitation and fastbreathing.
It was previously suggested that David’s death was caused by the illicit drug but at the coroner’s inquest into his death, it emerged he died from natural causes.
The inquest heard that the day before Mr Lowe’s death, on 25 June last year, a fellow patient was allowed to leave the hospital and is believed to have purchased illicit drugs while out.
The patient was searched on his arrival back to Prospect Place in what was described as a ‘one layer clothing search,’ but no substances were identified.
Later that day, mental health workers at the hospital say they saw the patient speaking with Mr Lowe and another male for a considerable time.
It is believed the men would pay the fellow patient, who was allowed to leave the site on a regular basis. One patient said he paid £40 for four ‘wraps’ of heroin.
It was not specified what quantity of drugs Mr Lowe purchased from the individual. Shortly after, the men were observed to be acting ‘strangely.’
The following day, all three men were admitted to Fairfield Hospital, one of them in a critical condition.
Mr Lowe was still breathing when he arrived at A&E, but medical professionals later realised he had suffered a perforated gastric ulcer, which subsequently lead to his death.
Concerns were initially raised by Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley whether the drug-related symptoms had confused doctors treating Mr Lowe.
But following an expert report, it emerged that David would have had to present at hospital no more than four hours after suffering the perforation to have stood a chance of survival.
It is not believed the drugs played a significant role in his death.
Following Mr Lowe’s death, a patient at Birch Hill was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug and provided a ‘no comment’ interview.
Detective Inspector Chris Mannion said in a statement: “No further charges were brought against the male due to insufficient evidence and it was not in the public interest to do so.”
As a result of Mr Lowe’s death and the subsequent drug supply revelations, an investigation was conducted on behalf of Pennine Care Foundation Trust.
Mental health nurse and author of the report, Michelle Davies told the inquest: “All three patients had a history of drug misuse and Mr Lowe did have a plan in place to help him but he often declined to engage.
“The patient in question was searched on his arrival back to Birch Hill to one layer of clothing and nothing was found from that search.
“This is a very difficult situation to manage and it is important to prevent all substances from coming into the unit.
“If a person is believed to be carrying illicit substances they are searched to one layer. Nurses cannot approve a search beyond this. If a person does not want to admit there is something in their possession, it is very difficult.
Recording a conclusion of natural causes, Senior Coroner of Manchester North Joanne Kearsley said: “The sign at the time Mr Lowe was taken to hospital was that his death would have been caused by the drugs. Mr Lowe died from a perforated gastric ulcer. The drugs may have masked the pain of this to some degree.
“I am satisfied with the treatment he received at Fairfield Hospital.
“The taking of illicit drugs with two other people caused confusion but it would not have made any difference to his death.
“I am satisfied by what I have heard from Pennine Acute Trust and will not be making a report or any regulations.”
Dr Henry Ticehurst, Medical Director at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I’d like to offer my condolences to the family of Mr Lowe.
“We are absolutely committed to ensuring the safety of our patients. We have robust procedures in place regarding patient leave, which aim to appropriately balance their safety with the need to allow recovery progress.”
The coroner concluded that Mr Lowe died of natural causes and had no concerns about the care provided.