Investigation and inquest
On the 9th September 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Barrie Lewis. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 18th February 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was “suicide”.
Circumstances of the death
The deceased was found by his family hanging in a garage at the rear of his property on the morning of the 31st August 2014. He was hanging from a rope attached to a rafter within the garage.
Coroner’s concerns
[BRIEF SUMMARY OF MATTERS OF CONCERN]
(1) A clinical review was undertaken of the contact the deceased had with the mental health services in the days prior to his death and it was apparent from that review, and from the evidence heard that:
a) That no risk assessment was undertaken to detail risks specifically associated with the deceased’s suicidal ideation which, on the evidence, would have assisted the crisis team in assessing his risk of suicide or self harm.
b) There was little formal mechanism for communication between the mental health out patients department and the acute services which he accessed in the days prior to his death.
c) There was no reliable system to ensure that a member of the crisis team took responsibility for providing assistance to the deceased – simply leaving the deceased to make his own telephone call to the appropriate department.
d) No clinical recordings were made of the contact the deceased had with the crisis team (Crisis Resolution Home Treatment team) following his contact with them.