Inquest Finds Preventable Factors in Mother’s Death, Family Feels ‘Cheated’

Family members have expressed feeling “cheated out of decades” following an inquest’s conclusion that the death of a mother-of-five could have been avoided. Nicolette McCarthy, who experienced mental health issues and was sectioned at the Woodlands Centre for Acute Care in St Leonards, died on September 19, 2023, after being permitted to take a 15-minute break alone, despite having suicidal thoughts. East Sussex assistant coroner Michal Spencer determined that Ms McCarthy died as a result of suicide and stated: “Had staff taken prompt action, there would have been opportunities by which Nicolette’s death could have been avoided.” Ms McCarthy’s daughter, Elspeth Gamble, remarked: “I feel cheated out of decades and I’m the first of five, so there are four more children who have been cheated out of decades of life with her.” Approximately 80 minutes after Ms McCarthy commenced her break, staff became aware of her absence. The assistant coroner commented: “There were a series of failures in the systems and procedures which should have guaranteed her safety.” Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement saying: “We apologise unreservedly for the delay in our response when Nicolette went missing and wholly accept the jury’s findings that there were failures in our processes, procedures and record keeping.” The trust further explained its commitment to improving the care it provides and confirmed it had already implemented enhanced safeguards to address the needs of patients requesting breaks from its inpatient units. Ms McCarthy, aged 46, had a 20-year career with the NHS, serving first as a nurse and then as a midwife. She had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which her family indicated she managed effectively with medication, but her mental health deteriorated in September 2023. If you are suffering distress or despair, details of help and support are available. BBC Action Line. Her father, Chris Macklin, stated: “We know from timescales that, had they properly followed procedures, it’s pretty certain that they would have caught up with her.” Ms McCarthy’s husband, Scott McCarthy, described his wife as the family’s “heart and soul.” He added: “We believe that honestly if she had been given a bit more time she would have made a full recovery.”