Aug 20, 2023, Anyuak Media: A Young Autistic Woman Dies in Psychiatric Ward https://anyuakmedia.com/being-on-psychiatric-ward-caused-harm-to-woman-before-her-death-inquest-told/
NW England
A young woman with autism, Lauren Bridges, died while she was detained on a locked psychiatric ward far from her home. An inquest into her death revealed that she experienced harm and trauma due to being in a facility that was ill-equipped to meet her needs. Lauren was found unconscious in a bathroom at The Priory’s Cheadle Royal Hospital in Stockport on
February 24, 2021. She was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital but died two days later after life support was withdrawn.
Lauren had been transferred to the psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) at the privately run hospital in July 2021. Despite it being intended as a short-term measure, she remained at The Priory Cheadle until her death. The inquest heard that the delay in moving her to a different unit closer to home had contributed to her mental health deterioration.
Evidence presented at the inquest included a report by Consultant Psychiatrist Christopher Ince, who noted that Lauren’s condition had deteriorated due to the inpatient hospital treatment. Dr. Ince defined this deterioration as “iatrogenic,” meaning harm caused by the setting and treatment provided. He believed that Lauren’s primary diagnosis should have been autism spectrum disorder (ASD). He also stated that inpatient psychiatric wards were rarely beneficial for autistic individuals and could become counterproductive due to the overwhelming sensory demands and emotional distress they impose.
Dr. Ince recommended that Lauren should have been discharged directly from the PICU into the community, rather than being transferred between different services. He highlighted the anxiety-provoking nature of change for people with autism and emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency and predictability in their care.
The inquest revealed that a suitable community rehabilitation placement for Lauren had not been found in a timely manner. However, Dr. Ince disagreed with this assessment, stating that her needs were not unknown and that the discharge process should have started upon her admission to the hospital. There was a lack of comprehensive assessment of her needs, which further contributed to the inadequate care she received.
The inquest into Lauren Bridges’ death is ongoing and is expected to last around four weeks.
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