Found dead, young doctor who told of work pressures
A JUNIOR doctor who had complained about the pressures of working in the NHS was found dead at her home, an inquest heard yesterday.
Newly- qualified Rebecca Ovenden, 32, had once written a Facebook post about the enormous stresses which was shared by 38,000 people.
Dr Ovenden, who worked for Devon Air Ambulance and at the A&E unit at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, was a passionate defender of NHS staff.
In November 2015 she wrote on Facebook: ‘ I heard a patient’s relative comment at work “we waited four hours for that.”
‘I wish I could have turned to them and said “YES! BLESS THE NHS!” It is because of the NHS you can walk in at 1.35 in the morning and no matter your complaint, be seen by a doctor.
‘Be thankful of the service you get, no matter how crappy you might think it is. You never know when you or a loved one might need it. It may not be around in its current form for much longer.’
The hearing was told Dr Ovenden had ‘previously made an attempt on her life’ and had a ‘history of mental health issues’.
Known as Becky, she was living with her husband Paul, a marine engineer, in Plymouth.
Her body was found by police on the morning of March 28 and there is no suggestion that her death was connected to the rigours of her work. No cause of death was revealed and the coroner’s court is awaiting a toxicology report. The inquest was adjourned for a fuller hearing at a later date.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘Police and ambulance were called following concern for the welfare of a woman within a property.
‘On arrival, a 32-year-old woman was located deceased at the address. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.’
Helena Holt, chief executive of Devon Air Ambulance, said: ‘ We send our thoughts and condolences to Becky’s family and friends.’
Nigel Hare, air ambulance operations director, added: ‘ She was a talented doctor and muchrespected member of our team and will be missed by us all.’
Anne Hicks, consultant in emer- gency medicine at Derriford Hospital, said: ‘Becky was a much-loved member of our team. She will be very sadly missed. Our thoughts are with her loved ones.’
Another junior doctor, Lauren Phillips, 26, has been missing for five weeks since reportedly becoming ‘depressed’ at the state of the NHS and failing to turn up for work at Southmead Hospital, Bristol.
Dr Rose Polge, 25, from Torbay Hospital, Devon, disappeared in February 2016, leaving a note referencing Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. An inquest said she took her own life by walking into the sea.