Blackpool Hospital Neglect Contributed to suicide of Man After 22-Hour Wait, Coroner Finds
Blackpool, UK – A coroner has ruled that neglect contributed to the death of Jamie Pearson, a man who died by suicide after waiting 22 hours for mental health assessment at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. The inquest at blackpool coroner’s court revealed a series of failings in Pearson’s care, despite his previous suicide attempt and expressed suicidal feelings.
Pearson, who was deemed “low risk” despite presenting to A&E with suicidal ideation and requesting to see a mental health worker, was not adequately observed or assessed. Coroner Rossall stated that hourly observations were not taken and properly recorded, highlighting “a string of failings and missed opportunities” to provide appropriate care. “This is an exceptionally tragic case,” Rossall said. “Lessons may now have been learned as a result, but that is little consolation to Jamie’s mother, who believed at the time that he was in safe hands and in the best place given the fragility of his mental state.”
The inquest heard Pearson had previously attempted suicide and had taken an overdose and attempted to ligature himself. rossall emphasized that Pearson was clearly at risk of serious harm.Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, the NHS trust responsible for Blackpool Victoria Hospital, has been contacted for comment.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie.In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
