Coroner links patient’s death to extended A&E stay and psychiatric bed shortage

A coroner has stated that several factors, including a shortage of psychiatric beds and a 26-day period spent in an accident and emergency department, played a role in the death of a 29-year-old patient who died by suicide. Matty Sheldrick died by suicide on the premises of Brighton’s Royal Sussex County Hospital in November 2022. Penelope Schofield, the senior coroner for Horsham, identified eight contributing factors to the death during the inquest’s conclusion on Friday. James Ramsay, who serves as NHS Sussex’s chief medical officer, commented that regional trusts have been collaborating to enhance the care and setting provided to individuals experiencing a crisis. BBC Action Line: For those impacted by the subjects discussed in this report, information on available support can be found here. Ms Schofield stated that private accommodation was inappropriate for Matty’s persistent sensory issues and described an A&E department as “not a suitable environment for a neurodivergent individual.” The coroner also noted that Matty, identified as a trans person, could not obtain specialized guidance and resources from the Transforming Care in Austism Team. In addition to these concerns, the coroner indicated that confusion surrounding Matty’s decision to depart the hospital, stemming from inadequate discharge care planning, also contributed to their death. Earlier in the inquest, it was revealed that Matty died by suicide after seeking “help that did not appear to exist.” Shelagh Sheldrick, Matty’s mother, had previously stated that her child, who was autistic and had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), felt “dismissed, ignored and lied to” by mental health professionals. After the inquest, she expressed being “very angry” and believed her child’s death could have been prevented. Ms Sheldrick clarified that since Matty’s passing, she has engaged with other families who have undergone comparable experiences. She remarked, “Hopefully, as a collective, we can make a difference in the future if we keep having our voices heard.” Ms Sheldrick mentioned that Matty, who originated from Redhill in Surrey, relocated to Hove in November 2021 with their rescue dog, Lola, with aspirations for a fulfilling and productive life, given appropriate support. Dr Ramsay stated: “We would like to extend our sincerest condolences to Matty’s family and friends, and say how sorry we are that Matty did not get the support they needed, despite the best efforts of staff, over the weeks leading up to this terrible tragedy.” He further explained that regional trusts have been collaborating to expand specialist mental health bed availability, enhance care for neurodivergent individuals, and introduce additional community services for transgender, non-binary, and intersex people. “We will take action to respond to the areas raised by the coroner to make sure people can access care in the most appropriate place for them,” Dr Ramsay affirmed. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available here.