Teen found dead an hour after leaving hospital she was receiving treatment
10.08.2023 - 08:53
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
The family of a teenager found dead near the hospital she was receiving treatment has told an inquest of 'systemic failures' in the days leading up to her death.
Evelin Chacko was receiving care at Royal Bolton Hospital when her body was found in nearby woodland on July 13, 2020.
The 16-year-old was admitted following an overdose at her family home in Farnworth on July 1. Coroner Alan Walsh told the court that Chacko had a 'long history' of 'suicidal ideation', panic attacks, self-harming and often 'threatened' to kill herself during disagreements with family
According to Manchester Evening News, the teen, who had also been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, was admitted to the hospital after mum Valsamma John called an ambulance after a feared overdose.
She was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital's A&E before being put in an adult complex care ward dealing largely with elderly patients with complex medical needs.
Dr Geraldine Donnelly, a consultant on the ward, said the teenager stayed there as it was a 'place of safety', despite her concerns it was 'inappropriate'. She said she was not aware of the full extent of Evelin's history of mental ill-health.
The doctor told the court that she had tried to contact Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) multiple times to discuss future treatment but the answerphone inbox was full.
She added: "I didn't feel there was an adequate risk assessment and plan in place for levels of observation on this ward," Dr Donnelly added.
The inquest heard that Evelin left the open ward and went home on three occasions but always returned to the hospital. Dr Donnelly said the teen seemed 'smiley' during her admission and added 'there was nothing to suggest that she was low in