Image source, Smith family

A man whose mother died after a fall in a mental health unit has warned the same could happen to another patient unless there are "massive changes".

Doris Smith died at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, five days after the fall in October 2020.

A coroner said it could have been avoided if she was given increased monitoring and observation.

The Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust said improved measures had since been put in place.

Paul Rucklidge-Smith said: "You just hope that someone else is not going to go through it, but they are and they will until there are massive changes."

Image source, Smith family

Mrs Smith worked in social services for Hackney Council in east London but moved to Clacton on the Essex coast in 2010 to be near her sister and best friend.

However, both died in the following three years and her son said she soon displayed signs of dementia.

She was eventually admitted to the Ruby Ward, part of the Crystal Centre on the Broomfield Hospital site.

"It was almost a relief because we thought she was safe," Mr Rucklidge-Smith said.

Image source, Stephen Huntley/BBC

She suffered a head injury in the fall on 9 October, diagnosed as a bleed on the brain, and died on 14 October.

A five-day jury inquest was held at the coroner's court in Chelmsford in January this year.

A subsequent Prevention of Future Deaths Report written by coroner Sonia Hayes highlighted that a risk assessment for her should have been completed within 24 hours of her admission - but in fact took 12 days.

She said the fall could have been avoided if she was "observed and monitored as she should have been".

Mr Rucklidge-Smith said: "There are lots of meetings planned, lots of re and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk

Related Topics