Investigation and inquest
On the 16th July 2022, I commenced an investigation into the death of Gerard Murray.
The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 4th August 2023
The conclusion of the inquest was suicide
Circumstances of the death
Gerard died on the 16th July 2022. He was found deceased, ████████
████████ at 15.20 hours on that day.
This location was an approximate half mile walk from Bassetlaw Hospital, where Gerard
had been an inpatient on the mental health ward B2.
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He had been admitted to ward B2 on 29.6.22, with low mood and suicidal thoughts and
plans. He had been treated with an antidepressant and started on Lithium, on 8.7.22, to
try and reduce suicidality.
His admission was informal, and he was allowed unescorted leave throughout his
admission.
On 16.7.22 he left the ward at 13.30 hours, and did not return. The ward staff were not
aware that he had not returned until the nurse in charge was notified that he could not
be found at 16.27 hours on that day.
There were reports that he had been seen on the ward by a Health Care Assistant at
14.30 hours, and that he was in his bedroom at 15.30 hours. These reported sightings of
him were not substantiated, and were incorrect.
Detailed findings as to how he came by his death are described within a written
Determination dated 4.8.23, appended to this report
Coroner’s concerns
1. There was a limited risk assessment and risk management plan
documented for Gerard on ward B2 now Beech ward
2. There was an inadequate door board system for monitoring the return of
patients after unescorted leave on ward B2. The same arrangements
remain currently, despite the ward move to Beech ward on new premises
3. There was extremely limited family and carer involvement in Gerard’s care,
with no involvement in the care plan, nor involvement in ward rounds on
ward B2 now Beech ward
4. There was limited awareness of the ligature risk reduction pathway by staff
on B2 now Beech ward
I am not reassured that necessary actions to address these serious issues identified are
in place.