Beloved mum, 35, who suffered 'more trauma than anyone should have to endure' died weeks after hospital discharge
22.04.2022 - 21:45
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A mum who had endured severe trauma became 'disturbed' by overwhelming mental illness before her death on a railway line - just weeks after leaving hospital, an inquest has heard. Coroner Christopher Morris will now write to the government and local mental health chiefs with concerns linked to the treatment of Kate Hedges before her death aged 35.
The mum-of-one, who was a qualified beauty therapist and the owner of a successful cleaning business, died on November 27, 2020 after being hit by a train at Gatley railway station. It came just a month after being discharged from hospital, having seen her mental health deteriorate in the summer, leading to 'manic' episodes.
Having given a narrative conclusion on her death, coroner Christopher Morris told Ms Hedges' family: "Kate was a remarkable person - a person full of character, colour, vigour and vibrancy. You must miss her terribly every day."
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During the course of the inquest at South Manchester Coroners Court this week, the court heard that Ms Hedges had suffered rape, coercive control and bullying earlier in her life, which Mr Morris described as 'far more trauma than anyone should have to endure'. She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and displayed some symptoms of psychosis.
Ms Hedges had endured suicidal thoughts but had never previously acted on them - with the drive to raise her son, who has autism, being a key factor in helping her to avoid ending her life. But in August 2020, Ms Hedges' mental health took a downturn, and was displaying 'increasingly manic behaviour' which worried friends and family.
She was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary on August