Multiple failings by an NHS Trust contributed to the death of a “deeply vulnerable” Bristol student, a jury inquest has found.
Zoe Adrienne Wilson was 22-years-old when she died a self-inflicted death as a voluntary patient on Larch mental health ward in Callington Road Hospital, Brislington in June 2019.
Zoe’s family say Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) must now “face criminal prosecution” for failing to keep her safe.
READ MORE: Southmead Hospital patient moved to hotel and 'left without care for over a week'
An inquest concluded yesterday (Thursday, January 27) that there were “inadequate steps” taken to keep Zoe safe on Larch ward after she informed staff she was hearing voices telling her to kill herself.
A jury found there was "inadequate communication and information-sharing" about Zoe between staff, and "inadequate observation" of her in the days before her death.
The Trust has admitted it did not do everything it could for Zoe.
Get the biggest stories from across Bristol straight to your inbox
Zoe was in her final year of a law degree at Exeter University in 2018 when her mental health deteriorated, and she developed delusional behaviour with episodes of psychosis.
She was admitted as a detained inpatient to Callington Road Hopsital, but in September 2018 was discharged and put under the care of a local Early Intervention Service.
In April 2019, following a further decline in her mental health, Zoe was detained on an acute ward at Callington Road Hospital where she remained until June 6.
Despite her ongoing psychosis, Zoe was then transferred to a low-risk ward at the hospital. She was found dead in the early hours of June 19.
Zoe's family said: “Zoe was a wonderful, bright, and deeply vulnerable young woman. She was on a low-risk ward by the Trust even when she told staff that voices in her head were telling her to kill herself.
“Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust must now face a criminal prosecution by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for its breaches of health and safety legislation, which led to Zoe losing her life at just 22 years of age.
“We will continue to fight for justice in her name. She will never be forgotten.”
Tony Murphy of Bhatt Murphy solicitors, who represent the family, said: “The family now await the CQC’s investigation into the trust. Time is of the essence as the three-year anniversary of Zoe’s death approaches in June.“
Selen Cavcav, senior caseworker at the charity Inquest, said: “Zoe’s escalating mental health crisis should have rung alarm bells for the clinicians and other staff who were in charge of care.”
Dr Sarah Constantine, medical director at Avon and Wiltshire mental health partnership NHS trust said: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Wilson family. We accept the jury’s findings and recognise that in this instance we did not do everything that we could for Zoe.”
If you need someone to talk to about your mental health, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org
Want our best stories with fewer ads and alerts when the biggest news stories drop? Download our app on iPhone or Android
