Investigation and inquest
On 29th November 2012 I commenced an investigation into the death of Christopher James MORGAN aged 39 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on Friday 27th September 2013. The conclusion of the inquest was that Christopher James Morgan died on 27th November 2013 at Ely Railway Station; the cause of his death was multiple injuries. I recorded a narrative verdict (see below)
Circumstances of the death
Narrative Verdict :
Christopher Morgan, a voluntary patient at Friends Ward, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridgeshire, took his own life, dying from multiple injuries when he dived in front of a train at or near Ely Railway Station, on 27th November 2012, in circumstances where he had run away from Fulbourn Hospital earlier in the day and in circumstances where there was not in place in the hospital a formal risk assessment covering his supervision at the material time.
Coroner’s concerns
• That before any change in identified level of risk is decided upon, particularly in relation to access to leave, there is communication with all relevant parties concerned including family and carers to elicit their views.
• The Trust should ensure that a clear practice and policy is adopted in relation to the ratio of staff to patient as to staff that should accompany patients on escorted leave from psychiatric wards