Family of mum who died at train station following mental health battle question discharge from psychiatric ward a month earlier
20.04.2022 - 10:25
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The family of a woman who died at a train station following a long battle with mental illness has raised concerns over her discharge from a psychiatric ward a month earlier. Mum-of-one, Kate Hedges, 35, passed away in November 2020 having been released from hospital in October, an inquest into her death has heard.
Paramedics were called to Gatley train station in Stockport following reports of a casualty on the tracks on November 27. The first day of an inquest at South Manchester Coroners' Court heard she was diagnosed with dyspraxia as a child and autism as an adult.
She suffered significant trauma, having being bullied at school and raped when she was 19, the inquest heard. Ms Hedge's mother Nuala Finegan described her daughter as a 'beautiful and bright person'.
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Ms Hedges was diagnosed with depression and PTSD, before she gained a qualification in beauty therapy. She also set-up a successful cleaning business.
In 2018, she completed a degree in creative writing. In August 2019, Ms Hedges became unwell, telling her mum she couldn't cope'.
In the months that followed, she told her GP she had had suicidal thoughts, but never planned on acting on them. Her young son was a significant factor in her determination to keep going, the inquest was told.
Ms Hedges, the court heard, was prescribed an anti-depressant. On August 25, 2020 Ms Finegan and other family members started receiving 'worrying messages'. It became clear, the court heard, Ms Hedges had not slept for 'several days'.
Her sister Maya told the court her sibling's behaviour was 'manic'. "I had never seen her like this," she said, giving evidence.
She took her sister to A&E at