Family’s questions after tragic death of student
THE family of a student who died after she was found hanged in a mental health unit is hoping an inquest will provide answers.
Lauren Finch, 23, was studying to become a veterinary nurse when she died on September 24 last year.
Her family described her as an ‘intelligent, beautiful, caring and kind girl.’
She had a history of mental ill health and had been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD).
Lauren, from Wigan, was receiving care at Westleigh Ward, Atherleigh Park Hospital, for a period of time last September, it is understood.
She was reported to have absconded from the hospital on Sunday, September 16, and found by officers from Greater Manchester Police a short distance away on the same day. Her family said when she returned to the ward, she was ‘upset and tearful’ – and that she sustained ‘painful bruising.’
Lauren was detained under the Mental Health Act, but was found hanged in her room the next day, Monday, September 17. She died from her injuries a week later.
A nine-day inquest is due to begin before a jury at Bolton Coroners’ Court on Tuesday.
Alice Stevens, of Broudie Jackson Canter solicitors, is representing Lauren’s family and said she hoped the inquest will explore issues including:
The management
EUPD
Lauren’s discharges from hospital and care in the community
The circumstances surrounding of Lauren’s Lauren being able to abscond from hospital
Risk assessments, observations and record keeping
Police involvement with Lauren and the emergency response on September 16
Ms Stevens said: “Lauren’s death is a tragedy and I hope that her inquest will help answer some of the questions her family have about the circumstances surrounding her death.
“The fact that there was police contact so close to Lauren’s death is a concern which clearly needs to be thoroughly investigated in the inquest.
“I hope that the trust and police will look carefully at their involvement with Lauren and make every effort to address the family’s concerns at the inquest.”
North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and GMP have been contacted for comment.
Lauren’s family said: “The pain of losing Lauren is unbearable and we miss her every day.
“We hope that the inquest will provide us with the answers as to why Lauren was not kept safe within a mental health unit.”