A harrowing verdict has been delivered in the case of 18-year-old Emily Moore, whose traumatic experiences while receiving mental healthcare were found to be contributing factors to her death. The devastating conclusion comes as a result of a four-week inquest into Emily's tragic passing at Lanchester Road Hospital in Durham in February 2020.
Emily's journey through mental health services began in March 2019, when she was detained at TEWV's West Lane Hospital in Middlesbrough. Despite being diagnosed with emerging emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) two years prior to this, consistency in her care was identified as crucial to reducing her risk of self-harming. However, her father described the hospital as a 'hell-hole', and Emily herself reported feeling 'treated like dirt' during her four-month stay.
Following her time at West Lane Hospital, Emily's care was transferred to Ferndene in Prudhoe, operated by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW). Over the next seven months, her condition reportedly improved. However, just two days after turning 18, she was returned to TEWV's care at Lanchester Road Hospital.
Tragically, Emily was found unconscious in her room on 13 February 2020, hours after her father had expressed his concerns for her safety to the ward staff. She passed away two days later. The Coroner has acknowledged that some of the problems identified are being addressed and confirmed that a public inquiry will further investigate the issues raised.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of high-quality, consistent, and safe mental health care, particularly for vulnerable young people. As highlighted by NICE guidelines, personalised care plans and a supportive environment are essential in managing risks and promoting recovery for individuals with EUPD. The findings of this inquest will contribute to ongoing scrutiny of mental health service provision across the UK, with potential implications for training, staffing, and facility management within NHS trusts.