Angela Dawn COLLINS · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 12 September 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Angela Dawn COLLINS aged 50. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 30 November 2023. The Conclusion of the Inquest was a Narrative Conclusion:

“The Deceased died from an overdose of prescription drugs taken whilst she was suffering from severe mental and emotional distress”.

The Inquest found that:

The Deceased had a history of depression which was made significantly worse by the death of one of her children in 2012. After taking a prescription drug overdose in February 2022, she came under the care of the Community Mental Health Team. After taking a further intentional prescription drug overdose on 3 May 2022, she was provided with a period of in-patient psychiatric treatment. Although she was discharged back to the Community Mental Health Team following her discharge, she did not attend her appointment with the Community Psychiatrist on 14 July 2022. By early August 2022, although it was clear that her mental health had deteriorated and that her relationship with her Community Mental Health Team Key Worker had broken down, she was not seen by any clinically qualified staff and had limited mental health support. A crisis point was reached when she awoke in the early hours of 18 August 2022 in distress and, after packing a bag which included half a week’s medication, left her home at 04.00 hours. Police subsequently attended her home and found a note suggesting a possible intention to harm herself. She was deemed to be a high-risk missing person and, after an effective search by police, she was located at the Travelodge in Toddington; although she denied being suicidal, police made further referrals to the Mental Health Team and Social/Children Services with concerns for her welfare. Although requested by Social/Children Services to see her, the Community Health Team did not go to see her but, instead, attempted to contact her by telephone. When the Deceased called them back at around 16.09 hours, her call was answered by administrative staff and, when she could not be put through to the clinically trained Duty Officer, she terminated the call. Although the Duty Officer called her back shortly after, she did not answer and no further action was taken. At around midnight, Travelodge staff found the Deceased slumped in the hallway outside her room. On informing them that she had depression, Covid 19, and had taken an overdose ████████, they called an ambulance. Owing to service demand, there was a 3 hour wait for an ambulance and, when the paramedics arrived at 03.43, they found her in cardiac arrest on the bed in her room. Despite all resuscitation efforts, her death was confirmed at 04.29 hours. A bag containing multiple packs of medication ████████ was found under the bed and post-mortem examination confirmed that she had a blood level of ████████ within the fatal range as well as an excess of ████████. A note found at the scene included the words “If I should die...”.

Vulnerable adults at risk of accidental/intentional prescription drug overdose and potentially suffering mental health crisis (such as Angie) appear to receive very limited or no support even though they are under the care of secondary mental health services provided by East London NHS Foundation Trust.