11 May 2023
Alix Walker, Head of Clinical Negligence at TRUE, recaps on the mental health crisis facing the NHS following the inquest findings of Zainab Mohamed who tragically died in the care of the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust in 2021.
Ms Mohamed committed suicide 10 days after her admission to hospital following episodes of racial abuse from another patient and her refusal to eat or drink, which staff failed to adequately act on.
Findings of the inquest identified poor training and issues with staffing levels, leaving her devastated family hoping that her death will lead to change in the way mental health patients are dealt with.
The inquest comes after a BBC undercover operation in 2022 into care provided at The Edenfield Centre in Prestwich, one of the largest mental health hospitals in Britain, which identified several episodes of patients being allegedly abused by staff.
It is clear that amid the NHS crisis mental health services do not have the resources required to adequately deal with what is a growing issue. The British Medical Association (BMA) confirmed that pre Covid-19 rates of mental health issues in England had been slowly and steadily rising amongst adults (aged 16-64). Rates in 2000 were 17.5% and by 2014 had increased to 18.9%. The statistics from the next survey by the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (MAPS) are due sometime in 2023/4.
Link: NHS Negligence Claims
As more and more people seek treatment the BMA also confirmed that the rate of those seeking treatment has grown faster than the number of people thought to have a mental illness, with the rate rising from 23.1% (2000) to 39.4% (2014) an increase of 71%.
In January 2023 the government announced a £150million investment in mental health up to April 2025 to include tailored emergency care and community support, with the aim to provide such care outside an A&E setting, to also alleviate pressure on the NHS.
However, it begs the question as to whether this is enough. It is evident that there is a huge demand on NHS resources for this growing crisis and here at True we are dealing with an increased number of claims for families left devastated by losing someone to suicide who was in the care of the NHS at the time of their death.
Link: Examples of negligent NHS treatment
If you have recently lost someone to suicide in such circumstances, speak to TRUE today on 0344 854 7000. Alternatively, complete our online contact form and a dedicated member of the legal team will call you back at a time that is suitable for you.
