Michelle Susan Turner · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 5th June 2019 an investigation was commenced into the death of Michelle Susan Turner. The inquest which formed part of that investigation was opened on 17th July 2019 and the investigation concluded at the end of the inquest which was heard over a period of 3 days from 12th October 2020 to 14th October 2020 inclusive.

The conclusion of the inquest as to the medical cause of death was as follows:

“1a. Multidrug toxicity”

I reached the following conclusion as to Michelle Turner’s death:

“Drug related death”

My findings as to how, when and where Michelle Turner came by her death were as follows:

“Police attended the address of Michelle Susan Turner at ████████ Road, Freckleton on Saturday 1st June 2019 where she was found slumped and unresponsive on the floor of an upstairs bedroom. The Deceased’s death was confirmed at the scene. Michelle Susan Turner died at her home at Road, Freckleton on Saturday 1st June 2019, her death having been caused by her use of heroin, cocaine and tramadol in the period leading up to her death. Each of those drugs made a more than minimal, negligible or trivial contribution to her death in combination with the others.”

I heard evidence and found that Michelle Turner had the support of her care coordinator and of her peer support worker and that she appeared to have built very positive relationships with each of them. I also heard evidence that:
• The Clinical Commissioning Group holds the responsibility for the funding of peer support workers;
• Peer support workers provide a variety of forms of support to service users, including assistance with connecting with drug services, support in managing their day, support in leaving the house and support in engaging in activity and that, very significantly, peer support workers have or may have “lived experience” of alcohol and/or substance misuse;
• This is an “invaluable” resource and, despite the circumstances of her death, Michelle Turner had felt inspired by her peer support worker;
• There is a possibility that funding for peer support workers will be lost in March 2021.
The concern that arises in these circumstances is that the service provided by peer support workers, which may be essential to those with mental health conditions and/or with alcohol and/or substance misuse problems and which is provided by those who, amongst service providers, may have the unique perspective of having “lived experience” of such problems, may be lost.