Mum died at Lakes Mental Health Hospital in Colchester, inquest hears

Michelle Morton, 29, died while she was being treated as an inpatient at the Lakes Mental Health Hospital in Colchester.

After she was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in 2019, she was due to be discharged from the hospital’s Ardleigh Ward on December 13, just four days after her death.

In the years before her admission, Michelle had suffered from mental health difficulties and had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder.

Michelle is much-loved and missed by her heartbroken family (Image: Newsquest)

A jury inquest at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court returned an open, narrative conclusion, which detailed multiple failings in Michelle’s care.

The inquest heard how, on December 8, 2019, Michelle had ventured into the ward’s garden, where other patients became concerned for her welfare.

She was found unresponsive in the garden by staff and died at the scene, despite the efforts of medics.

The jury found there had been failures to perform health and safety checks, inadequate staffing levels and training around awareness of risks for patients.

Michelle’s sister Joanna said: "While nothing can ever fill the hole in my life Michelle's death left, the verdict gives our family a chance to start the healing process.

“My little sister was failed by those who should have kept her safe.

“Michelle was a loving mother to her daughter and those responsible for her death will never understand the pain her little girl will always feel.”

Nina Ali, partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, representing the family, added: “The total lack of understanding regarding the access policy to the garden, allowing Michelle to walk alone in total darkness is shocking.

“The inquest heard how something as simple as a locked door could have prevented this tragedy.”

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust said it has invested £40 million into improvements in its services in recent years, including £20 million into its wards to make them “safe and therapeutic spaces”.

Chief executive Paul Scott said: “Our thoughts remain with Michelle’s family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.

“Safety is our absolute priority and we are relentlessly focused on providing the best care and support for patients in environments that are both safe and therapeutic.

"We have made significant investment to improve safety on our wards and reduce the risk of self-harm, and are committed to continuously improving the care we provide.”