"An NHS trust has pleaded guilty to failures over the avoidable death of a teenage girl who killed herself after absconding from 24-hour supervision under its care. Ellame Ford-Dunn, 16, who suffered with severe mental health problems, died on 20 March 2022, minutes after leaving the Bluefin acute children's ward in Worthing hospital, part of University hospitals Sussex NHS trust (UHSussex)."
"On Monday, the trust pleaded guilty to a failure to provide safe care and treatment resulting in avoidable harm. In mitigation it said the acute ward was not equipped to deal with vulnerable mental health patients, but the trust had accepted Ellame because of a growing crisis nationally over the shortage of mental health beds for children and adolescents. The prosecution was brought by the hospital regulator, the Care Quality Commission."
"Its barrister, James Marsland, said the trust had exposed Ellame to a risk of significant avoidable harm. He said its policy on missing patients did not provide any meaningful guidance on what to do when a vulnerable patient is seen to be absconding. He added the police created confusion among staff and noted that the nurse caring for Ellame was under the impression she should not follow her. Marsland said Ellame had a complex diagnosis and was at risk of self-harm and absconding."
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust pleaded guilty to failures that resulted in the avoidable death of 16-year-old Ellame Ford-Dunn, who left an acute children's ward and died minutes later. Ellame had severe mental health problems and a history of absconding and self-harm. The supervising agency nurse observed her leaving but did not follow because she believed she was instructed not to. The trust attributed part of the situation to a shortage of mental health beds and an acute ward not equipped for vulnerable patients. The Care Quality Commission prosecuted, citing inadequate missing-patient guidance and staff confusion.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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