Investigation and inquest
On 14th March 2018, I commenced an investigation into the death of Miles Glynn Naylor, aged 33. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 31st January 2019. The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Naylor’s medically certified cause of death was 1a) Hanging, and the short form conclusion of the jury was Suicide.
Circumstances of the death
At the time of his death, Mr Naylor was a patient of the Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, detained pursuant to the provisions of s.2 of the Mental Health Act 1983. He died in his room on the Oakdale Ward in Lynfield Mount Hospital, Daisy Hill, Bradford, having suspended himself from a ligature he had fashioned from his own trouser belt and wedged in the hinge pin side of the door to the room.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) The jury formally recorded their opinion as part of the conclusion to the inquest that the Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust should carry out a review of its management of its ligature risks from personal items.
(2) During the course of evidence, questions were raised about the design of the doors on Oakdale ward, and whether access to the hinge pin side of the doors might be prevented by the use of covers similar to the finger guards in use in children’s nurseries and similar premises).