Trust admits liability for mother’s suicide

An English NHS Trust has admitted liability for the death of a mother who was placed in their care after suffering severe post-natal depression, reports the Telegraph.

Diana Mager gave birth to her daughter in November 2011, but developed severe anxiety and began to self-harm.

She attended Green Parks House psychiatric unit in Orpington as a voluntary patient, and the hospital was advised by Mrs Mager’s husband that she was a high suicide risk and needed 24-hour attention.

Staff at the hospital initially complied with this, but then decided her condition had improved and that she was well enough to leave the unit for short periods of time. However, the first time she did leave she attempted to kill herself, and was only prevented from doing so by a member of the public.

Despite this, staff only checked on Mrs Mager every 15 minutes while she was in their care, which unfortunately gave her the opportunity to take her own life in August 2012.

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust initially denied liability for Mrs Mager’s death, claiming at her inquest that it “could not have been predicted or prevented,” reports the Telegraph. However, when court proceedings were served the Trust changed its mind and admitted responsibility.

The Trust issued a statement offering its condolences to Mrs Mager’s family, and said it would be undertaking another internal review to ensure lessons are learnt.

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