Woman stabbed herself in the heart (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Woman stabbed herself in the heart

9:28am Thursday 31st July 2008 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

The family of a woman who stabbed herself to death while supposedly under the supervision of nurses, could sue a mental health care trust.

A solicitor representing the family of Sarah Walsh, who was allowed to purchase a knife despite her mother's concerns over her suicidal state of mind, said they were "considering their options".

At an inquest into Ms Walsh's death, Wiltshire Coroner David Masters ruled that neglect by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Trust had contributed to her suicide.

Mr Masters recorded a verdict that Ms Walsh, from Abbey Meads, had committed suicide while suffering from depression, contributed to by the neglect.

Ms Walsh had been suffering from severe depression since the birth of her two children.

She was admitted to Sandalwood Court, on Highworth Road, in February 2007.

At the time her mother, Susan West, told a nurse she was worried her daughter wanted to buy a knife and kill herself.

The next day a care assistant, who was unaware of the concerns, allowed Ms Walsh to go into the town on her own.

Ms Walsh bought a knife and booked herself into a hotel, where she was discovered the following day having stabbed herself in the heart.

Ellen Parry, from Anthony Collins Solicitors, said the last 17 months had been "a painful and traumatic experience" for the family.

When asked if the family would be seeking damages from the trust, she refused to rule anything out.

"The family are considering their options," she said.

In a statement released after the coroner's verdict, Ms Parry said: "The family has wanted to ensure that no other family has to endure the heartache of such a tragic loss of a beloved wife, mother and daughter.

"They have faced a lengthy delay while an internal inquiry was carried out and the resulting report, in the words of the Coroner, pulled no punches' in its criticism of the treatment received by Sarah.

"The inquest heard evidence that as a result, disciplinary proceedings have already been taken against staff who have been found guilty of gross negligence in the performance of their duties.

"Furthermore, the family are aware that in a recent Healthcare Commission report, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust received one of the lowest rankings available and was required to improve in 10 areas. One is particularly relevant in the case of Sarah Walsh - the Trust was criticised for failing sufficiently to involve patients or carers."

A statement on behalf of the Trust said all aspects of the case would be reviewed to see if further lessons could be learnt.

A spokesman said: "Regrettably aspects of the care provided to Sarah fell below the standards we as a Trust expect from our staff.

"We have apologised to the family and will continue to keep them informed of changes made as a result of learning arising from Sarah's unexpected death."