This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.
On 29th August 2023 an investigation was commenced into the death of Michael Sean Heath aged 35. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 30th September 2024. A jury made a determination that Michael Sean Heath died by taking his own life by ████████ ████████ whilst suffering from an acute episode of a mental health crisis.
Circumstances of the death
On 25th August 2023 Michael Sean Heath died in apartment REDACTED ████████ which penetrated his pericardial sac. He had been suffering with mental health issues for several years. Having considered the evidence, on the balance of probabilities we have identified the following contributing factors – 1) The decision to close the police log on the 25th August 2023 and the police not attending Michael resulted in a missed opportunity for a welfare check, 2) Poor inter agency communication and failures to follow up any outstanding action points, in particular the failure of the Trafford North West Mental Health team to chase up the date when Michael was due to return from Gibraltar and investigate the blank email with Michael's identifier. In addition, the failure of Trafford Council Adult Social Care to verify that police were attending on the 25th August 2023. 3) The failure of mental health services in Gibraltar to notify Trafford Mental Health Team of the exact date of Michael's return to the United Kingdom. This resulted in a lack of mental health support when he returned. 4) The lack of probing by North West Ambulance Service mental health practitioner during telephone triage on 23rd August 2023 resulted in a missed opportunity for a face to face assessment. 5) Michael's mental health condition and his reluctance to take his psychiatric medication consistently and his reluctance to engage with mental health services or General practitioner.
Coroner’s concerns
In relation to Policing is the extent to which all officers are trained to assess the increasing number of calls to the police which are of a mental health nature, the risks associated with the consequences of not making the right assessment where there may be an immediate risk to life and when to accept that the police are the right agency to be involved in mental health related enquiries due to their powers of entry;
In relation to the management of mental health patients that their carers are made aware of any admission under the Mental Health Act within 24 hours and those patients are supported with access to an independent mental health advocate;
The apparent lack of connectivity between mental health services abroad and the UK upon repatriation whilst the patient remains ill;
That there is a risk to patients generated by a decision to remove a patient from a GP practice list where the patient resides out of geographical area for that GP practice without considering the wider circumstances and the likely follow on care; and
The means of communication is known and agreed between all mental health agencies to ensure all relevant patient information is held in an accessible central repository.
Concerns and recipient responses
Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Report evidence summary
Concerns raised7
Failure to ensure carers are informed of Mental Health Act admissions within 24 hours
Failure to consider wider circumstances and likely follow-on care before removing out-of-area patients from GP practice lists
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.26
Action
Publish and maintain Authorised Professional Practice guidance and an associated toolkit supporting the Right Care Right Person framework.
Stated byCollege of PolicingStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Create and provide a bespoke e-learning training package on responding to mental health incidents for all police forces.
Stated byCollege of PolicingStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Finalise and sign the partnership agreement clarifying agency responsibilities for mental-health concerns and police responses.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Agree a forced-entry memorandum assigning Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service as the primary responder for specified medical-concern cases.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Implement RCRP through the assessment toolkit, THRIVE risk assessment, response grading and vulnerability assessment requirements.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Provide clinical mental-health advice, incident-call reviews and GP referrals through the Mental Health Tactical Advice Service.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Enhance and introduce quality-assurance systems supporting RCRP decision-making and continuing professional development.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Deliver mandatory mental health awareness training to officers and relevant contact-centre staff.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Revisit mental-health training to reinforce RCRP deployment and police-involvement requirements.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Monitor and review RCRP assessment decisions and adverse outcomes, reporting findings to senior command and partner governance.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Provide RCRP assessment and decision-making training through role-specific courses and an accredited e-learning package.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Implement written carer information within 72 hours and require Ward Managers to follow up missing records through daily reports.
Engage primary care providers and commissioners to support collaborative decisions and continuity of care when patients change geographical area or GP.
Implement and routinely review the Greater Manchester ‘Right Care, Right Person’ system with partner agencies to improve responses to mental health patients in crisis.
Stated byNorth West Ambulance Service NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Introduce an opt-out independent mental health advocacy process under which advocates interview detained patients about using advocacy services.
Stated byDepartment of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Action
Continue monitoring how providers work with other agencies during service transitions to prevent gaps in care.
Stated byCare Quality CommissionStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.19
Position
Police powers of entry do not extend to welfare concerns alone; they require a real risk to life or serious injury.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is the primary responder for forced entry in medical-concern cases; police assist only if unavailable.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Routine police attendance at welfare checks is not undertaken because legislation does not impose that duty.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Policing, mental health management, cross-service collaboration and GP decision-making do not concern Trafford Council’s actions or decisions, so it cannot address them.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Local partners are responsible for determining which agency responds when the police threshold is not met.
Stated byHome OfficeRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The College of Policing and Greater Manchester Police are responsible for addressing the specific police working practices raised.
Stated byHome OfficeRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
A provider cannot reasonably be expected to know about a patient’s return when the patient independently arranged travel and gave no notification.
Stated byNHS EnglandDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Overseas healthcare providers cannot be mandated to share clinical information when patients are medically repatriated.
Stated byNHS EnglandUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Policing, advocacy, communication, and interagency information access should be addressed by the other individuals and organisations named in the report.
Stated byNHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Concerns about police training, family notification, international mental health connectivity and GP list removals relate to other organisations and fall outside NWAS’s remit.
Communication arrangements between mental-health agencies should be established locally by Greater Manchester and other local bodies.
Stated byDepartment of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Mental-health repatriation is not provided for by the Mental Health Act and presents infeasible data-protection, language and logistical challenges.
Police mental-health call training is assigned to the Home Office, Greater Manchester Police and the College of Policing.
Stated byDepartment of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Greater Manchester Police and the College of Policing are better placed to address police mental-health assessment and involvement concerns.
Stated byCare Quality CommissionRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Establishing communication arrangements and a central repository for information across mental-health agencies sits outside CQC’s remit.
Stated byCare Quality CommissionOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
The Department of Health and Social Care is better placed to address communication arrangements across mental-health agencies.
Stated byCare Quality CommissionRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Decisions to remove patients from GP practice lists based on geographical residence sit outside CQC’s remit.
Stated byCare Quality CommissionOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Training police officers to assess mental-health calls and determine police involvement sits outside CQC’s remit.
Stated byCare Quality CommissionOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Individual GP practices are responsible for deciding whether geographically out-of-area patients should continue receiving care and treatment.
Stated byCare Quality CommissionRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Other statements in published responses
These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.
Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.27
1
Provide implementation support through floorwalkers, subject-matter experts and 24/7 RCRP Silver cover.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
2
Submit care plans for mental-health-related responses and refer them for safeguarding review.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
3
Require supervisor recording, dispatch-ratification, caller recontact and appropriate signposting before closing a reversed non-deployment incident.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
4
Provide enhanced partner communication and implementation support through dedicated contacts, daily huddles and partner-checked training materials.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
5
Maintain senior-leader support and corporate materials for RCRP training and implementation.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
6
Operate monthly strategic oversight and combined monitoring of RCRP impact and effectiveness across Greater Manchester.
Stated byGreater Manchester PoliceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
7
Operate the Suicide Prevention Board and its partner action plan to coordinate suicide-prevention work.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
8
Deliver Legal Literacy training covering legal and ethical literacy, the Care Act, and safeguarding adults and the law.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
9
Strengthen Mental Health management and practitioner capacity to increase scrutiny and oversight.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
10
Complete quality-assurance monitoring and reflective review of telephone calls to confirm adherence to the revised procedure.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
11
Provide external suicide training to Adult Social Care staff handling wellbeing-related calls.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
12
Implement and follow a multi-step procedure for handling telephone calls involving suicidal ideation.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
13
Deliver Month of Hope awareness walks and promote public engagement in suicide-awareness conversations.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
14
Review and transform front-door arrangements through co-produced changes informed by Safeguarding Adults Review learning.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
15
Monitor participation in Legal Literacy training for included social work staff.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
16
Identify suicide-prevention training opportunities through a staff survey.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
17
Operate the Improving Lives Every Day Board and deliver workstreams strengthening Adult Social Care safeguarding and mental-health practice.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
18
Launch the Shine a Light on Suicide campaign and integrate it into Council staff induction training.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
19
Develop and provide an online Suicide Awareness and Support Toolkit for staff.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
20
Train Access Trafford staff and provide continuing suicide-awareness supervision, check-ins and management discussions.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
21
Focus Adult Safeguarding Week activity on mental-health responsibilities and collaborative practice.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
22
Implement learning from the Safeguarding Adults Review and progress its single-agency recommendations.
Stated byTrafford Borough CouncilStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
23
Discuss all Prevention of Future Deaths reports through the Regulation 28 Working Group, sharing learning nationally and regionally and identifying emerging trends for review and action.
Stated byNHS EnglandStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
24
Introduce the Mental Health Bill containing reforms to involve carers in detained patients’ care, treatment and planning decisions.
Stated byDepartment of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
25
Establish statutory clinical checklist and care-planning requirements requiring clinicians to consult carers, family members and relevant advocates where practical and appropriate.
Stated byDepartment of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
26
Operate the Single Assessment Framework using six evidence categories to assess providers flexibly, frequently and consistently.
Stated byCare Quality CommissionStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 3 October 2024.
27
Continue working with Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust through regular engagement and monitoring of its improvement action plans.
Stated byCare Quality CommissionStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 3 October 2024.