Western Morning News (Saturday)
Woman, 20, let down by failures in mental health care
AMOTHER from Cornwall has called for national change after her daughter’s death was said to be a result of a ‘systemic failure’ in mental health support.
Caitlin Mack died aged just 20 after taking a combination of drugs including heroin, cocaine and amphetamines.
She died from mixed-drug toxicity, in a property in Commercial Street, Camborne, on August 18, 2021. A two-day inquest concluded her death could have been avoided if mental health support had been available.
During the inquest, it was heard that when Caitlin was referred to Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s community mental health team in early 2021, she was not given a care coordinator due to staff shortages, meaning there was no regular contact made with her.
This was as a result of the Covid pandemic, which saw a national shortage of clinicians and a struggle to recruit staff. Staffing levels at the trust were fluctuating between 20-50% of the required number of employees actually in place and have since dropped to 25-30% of what they should be.
Senior coroner for Cornwall, Andrew Cox said said: “The trust has not hidden from the simple fact that the care provided to Caitlin, particularly between March and June 2021, fell well below the standard I anticipate they themselves would wish to have provided.”
However, Mr Cox pointed out that Caitlin’s lifestyle at that time was chaotic and there was a very real possibility that she would not have attended appointments or been able to make a commitment to meaningful treatment.
In a statement shared following the conclusion of the inquest, Caitlin’s mother, Samantha Tonkin, said: “I feel like the systems are broken and they won’t get fixed any time soon. Caitlin’s case involved a systemic failure in mental health. I think about the 700 households that need accommodation every night, all the people struggling with their mental health, and I worry so much about them. I just want it to change – we need national change.”
‘I don’t want her remembered as a problem but as a beautiful, caring soul’ SAMANTHA TONKIN
During the inquest, a statement read out on behalf of Ms Tonkin described Caitlin as a ‘ray of light, who was compassionate with others’ when growing up. Ms Tonkin said: “Throughout her struggles she was so loving and caring and a bright girl. I don’t want her to be remembered as a problem, I want her to be remembered as a beautiful, thoughtful and caring soul.”
Alex Kenney, a public law solicitor at Simpson Millar who represented Ms Tonkin at the inquest, said that the hearing had shone a light on the inadequate support available for young adults who are struggling with their mental health, as well as struggling with substance misuse.
She called on the relevant authorities to better work together to identify people who are at risk, and to provide a ‘joined up, comprehensive care plan’, saying: “By the end of her life, Caitlin was known to the police, mental health services, drug and alcohol treatment services, and social services.
“However, what the inquest has highlighted is that a lack of resources, communication across agencies and access to suitable provision means that she simply did not receive the care and support she desperately needed.
“Staff shortages meant that the authorities were unable to monitor her behaviour and provide adequate support for her mental health issues, and her struggle with substances.
“Sadly, in Caitlin’s case, these shortcomings also resulted in missed opportunities to help her and potentially save her life.
“Her family are understandably devastated by their loss. It is their hope that further to the inquest lessons will be learnt moving forward that will mean the various authorities will work together to deliver a joined up, comprehensive care plan for vulnerable young people.”