The death of Nicolette McCarthy, a 46-year-old mother of five, has raised serious concerns about the care provided to mental health patients in the UK.
Nicolette, a midwifery matron, tragically took her life after being granted unescorted leave from a mental health unit.
Her story has prompted calls for urgent action to address gaps in mental health care policies.
A Series of Events Leading to Tragedy
On September 19, 2023, Nicolette was detained under the Mental Health Act at the Woodlands Centre in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.
She was allowed a 15-minute unescorted break to smoke due to the NHS’s no-smoking policy, which prohibits smoking on hospital grounds.
Left unsupervised in a poorly monitored area near the edge of the road, Nicolette used her phone to call a taxi and travel to Beachy Head, a location known for its association with suicides.
Her body was discovered shortly after.
At an inquest into her death, East Sussex assistant coroner Michael Spencer concluded that “a series of failures” in her care contributed to the tragedy.
He stated that timely intervention could have prevented her death.
Family Grieves and Calls for Change
Nicolette’s family has been left heartbroken.
Her daughter, Elspeth Gamble, expressed how she and her siblings feel “cheated out of decades of life” with their mother.
Nicolette’s husband, Scott McCarthy, highlighted concerns about the unintended consequences of the NHS smoke-free policy, particularly for vulnerable mental health patients.
Scott emphasized the need for personalized care, stating, “Mental health patients have complex needs that require tailored approaches, not one-size-fits-all policies.”
He fears that the current policy inadvertently increases risks for patients by forcing them to leave hospital grounds to smoke, often in unsupervised areas.
Coroner’s Report Sparks Action
The inquest revealed contradictions in the implementation of the NHS smoke-free policy.
While smoking on hospital grounds is prohibited, patients were routinely granted leave to smoke off-site, often in areas with little to no supervision.
These lapses allowed Nicolette to leave unnoticed.
Coroner Michael Spencer has called for a review of the NHS smoke-free policy to ensure it aligns with the safety needs of mental health wards.
He acknowledged the policy’s intent to promote health but stressed that it must be adapted to prevent further tragedies.
His recommendations have been sent to the Health Secretary, NHS England, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Advocacy for Better Mental Health Care
Nicolette’s family, represented by law firm Irwin Mitchell, is advocating for systemic changes to prevent similar incidents.
They argue that while the smoke-free policy is well-intentioned, its current implementation creates unnecessary risks for mental health patients.
Thomas Riis-Bristow, the family’s lawyer, stated, “Nicolette’s family remains devastated by her death and firmly believes she would still be alive if she had not been granted unescorted leave that day.”
The family hopes lessons will be learned from this tragedy, and that mental health care policies will be improved to protect vulnerable patients.
Remembering Nicolette
Scott McCarthy described his late wife as a devoted, loving, and empathetic person who deeply cared for her family and others.
“Through her work, she touched the lives of so many, helping new families start out in life,” he shared.
Her loss has left an irreplaceable void in their lives.
Nicolette is survived by her five children, including Elspeth and Duncan Gamble, and three younger children aged between six and 14.
Her family’s grief underscores the urgent need for reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of mental health patients.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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