Inquest Examines Tragic Death of Young Woman on Mental Health Ward
Salisbury, Wiltshire – A heartbreaking inquest is currently underway at Wiltshire & Swindon Coroners Court, scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding the death of 22-year-old Carla Heaton, who tragically took her own life while a patient on Applewood Ward at Sandalwood Court hospital in November 2022. The proceedings have brought to light significant concerns raised by both Carla’s family and dedicated staff members regarding her care and the suitability of her environment.
Carla Heaton was discovered unresponsive on November 21st, 2022. The inquest jury has heard compelling testimony highlighting a consensus among Carla’s mother and a number of hospital staff that a quieter, more conducive environment was essential for her recovery from a mental health crisis and the distressing tics she had developed.
Further compounding the complexities of Carla’s case, some staff members advocated for her treatment to continue at a facility specifically equipped to support neurodivergent individuals. This recommendation stemmed from suspicions that Carla might have undiagnosed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, this view was not universally shared among the staff. Dr. Shalini Kurup, a Consultant Psychiatrist with the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership, stated during her evidence on Tuesday that she did not believe Carla had ADHD. Notably, the court learned that no formal assessment for ADHD had been conducted due to the acute mental health crisis Carla was experiencing at the time.
A crucial point of contention and concern revolves around the challenging environment of Applewood Ward itself. The court heard that Carla found the ward’s noisy setting particularly difficult, with the commotion often exacerbating her tics. These tics, which included involuntary use of inappropriate remarks and could at times be physically harmful, caused Carla immense shame. She confided in staff about her feelings, stating that the tics made her feel ashamed of herself because of what they would make her say. Staff also observed that the stressful environment of the ward appeared to worsen her tics, and Carla herself expressed a need for distractions to cope with the noise.
Detainment as a "Legal" Means
The inquest further delved into Carla’s detainment. Having initially admitted herself voluntarily, Carla had expressed a desire to leave Applewood Ward. Disturbingly, prior to her death, she had prepared a Will and Testament, alongside letters addressed to family members. Days before she died, Carla absconded during a trip but was subsequently returned to the ward by police. Following this incident, she was formally detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act.
The decision to continue her Section 3 detainment was justified on the grounds that she would likely become homeless if permitted to leave Applewood Ward. This detainment was viewed as a "legal" means of preventing Carla from departing the ward, with the assessment of her health risk being deemed high if she were allowed to leave.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Kurup informed the court that Carla had demonstrated a willingness to engage with staff and work towards recovery. There was a hopeful expectation that with improvements in her mental health, she would eventually be able to control her tics. However, a distressing turn of events saw Carla’s mental state deteriorate significantly, a concern her mother explicitly raised with staff just three days before Carla’s passing.
The Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust has stated that it will not provide further comment while the ongoing proceedings are in progress. The inquest continues, seeking to uncover a comprehensive understanding of the events leading to Carla Heaton’s tragic death.
