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Dr P, a consultant adult psychiatrist and member of Medical Protection, had cared for a patient with complex mental health needs that included borderline personality disorder, an eating disorder, anxiety, and depression.
The patient had been intermittently sectioned under the Mental Health Act from a young age and had various admissions for self-harm. Our member took over the patient’s care as part of their transition into the adult mental health services. The patient was reluctant to engage, and unfortunately, died by suicide a year later.
Dr P had submitted a statement to the coroner, but was worried about a Serious Incident (SI) review that was conducted by the Trust. Concerned that the SI report was critical of the patient’s care, Dr P wanted advice on whether to seek independent legal representation at the inquest.
As advised, Dr P raised the concerns about the report within the Trust, and these concerns were acknowledged. Following this, Dr P worked collaboratively with the Trust to improve the mental health department.
In addition, the Trust’s legal team did not object to representing Dr P at the inquest. In fact, meetings were held to prepare Dr P for questions that the coroner might ask. Following the inquest, the Trust avoided a Prevention of Future Deaths report, and Dr P was not criticised.