Following an inquest into the death of teenager, Evelin Chacko, Bolton Coroners’ Court heard that the 16-year-old was found dead in a nearby woodland just an hour after leaving the hospitaland that there were “systemic failures” at “every stage” of her treatment.
Evelin Chacko, from Farnworth, was admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital following an overdose at her family home on 1 July 2020 and, after being initially taken into A&E, was placed in C2 ward: an adult treatment centre for people with complex care needs and the elderly.
Bolton Coroners’ Court heard how Evelin left the ward and returned home on at least three occasions but had always come back, with C2 consultant Dr Geraldine Donnelly confirming it was an open ward and that Evelin was “free to come and go” without monitoring from July 5 onwards.
However, after a meeting on July 10, where the assigned nurse Afreen Khan was said to be awaiting a mental health review for Evelin, he was told the next steps would be dealt with by another team and was not made aware that she attempted to harm herself the night before her death during the handover.
The inquest also heard that a mental health review took place on July 13 at around 1pm but Mr Khan was not able to attend due to his workload and the pressures of looking after nine other patients. Evelin left at 2.12pm and died just over an hour later.
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Mr Khan told the court that “you shouldn’t be a named nurse and in charge [of multiple others], but we were expected to do both roles because of the pandemic and staffing. I didn’t have the chance to sit down and read her notes. I gave her medication, carried out observations and saw her behaviour.”
After hearing that she was placed on an “inappropriate ward” and should have been afforded “extra contact to check she was ok”, Area Coroner Professor Dr Alan Walsh also questioned how Khan could have been able to do “two jobs at once” in attending to the other patients and keeping an eye on Evelin.
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Another staff member, Mary Hart, worked various shifts throughout Ms Chacko’s time in the hospital and said that while she had no immediate concerns about her wellbeing, she did note how “Evelin walked past and she appeared to be very upset” on 13 July, adding that “it was out of character for her.”
However, it is worth noting that although Evelin was described as a “smiley” individual by both her family and individuals around the hospital, it was also heard that she had a long history of “suicidal ideation” and had been escorted away from a motorway bridge in May earlier that year.
Data extracted from her phone also showed that in the months leading up to her death, the 16-year-old’s internet searches included, ‘I feel like I have to commit suicide’, ‘How to hide that I am suicidal’, and ‘What to write in a suicide note’, as well as googling hanging methods on the day she died.
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Giving evidence in the inquest, Dr Patrick Waugh’s examination of her body showed ligature marks, as well as abrasions on her chin which suggested an attempt to adjust/struggle and suggested hanging as the cause of death.
Noticing that she was crying, Hart said she tried to approach the teen and although she did speak to her, Evelin “wouldn’t engage or acknowledge.” After returning from the Clinical Decision Unit, another nurse, Dawn Murphy, said she met security at the entrance and gave Evelin’s name and description.
It was then heard that in the notes entered into the electronic system at 1.49pm following the mental health review, it was stated that there was a “need to monitor” her but — similarly to Mr Khan and Evelin’s attempt to harm herself — she was not made aware of the contents of the report.
Speaking on behalf of the Chacko family, a spokesperson for Oakwood Solicitors said: “We are deeply saddened by Evelin Chacko’s tragic death however, we are consoled with the admissions made by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in relation to their failings.
“The investigations are still underway with regards to the involvement of Greater Manchester Mental Health and Bolton Council, but it has been recognised that Evelin, a 16-year-old, was on a wholly inappropriate adult acute ward. There is a lot to learn from her death.
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“The nurse involved in Evelin’s care admitted that they did not have time to review the records and she was inappropriately placed on a ward where they were not experienced to deal with Evelin’s mental health. What was consistent is that Evelin was loving and caring.”
The inquest has now been halted until 30 October when more evidence will be presented to the Coroners’ Court. Oakwood concluded by stating, “It is hoped that when the investigations resume in the Autumn that the family will be able to receive some closure.”
For anyone struggling with mental health, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Samaritans on 116 123, text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258, contact the NHS on 101 or, if it’s an emergency, call 999 immediately.
You can also find helpful resources regarding sexual abuse support HERE.
Featured Image — Facebook
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Teens could be recruited as train drivers to help ‘improve’ Britain’s railways amid ongoing strikes
Emily Sergeant
Teenagers could soon be recruited as train drivers in a bid to help “improve” Britain’s railways, the Government has announced.
Amid what have been ongoing strikes for the past couple of years now, and following on from the announcement back in February that ASLEF train drivers at several train companies and operators had voted ‘overwhelmingly’ to continue taking industrial action for another six months, the Government has now proposed lowering the minimum age to become a train driver from 20 to 18.
A consultation on the somewhat-controversial move is to be launched as part of the Government’s efforts to open up more careers in the rail sector to young people.
Ultimately, transport ministers believe this could “improve the reliability of rail services” across the UK.
This surprising recruitment drive announcement comes after the Government has revealed that the train driver workforce is projected to shrink without opening up more opportunities for new recruits in the near future – especially given the fact the average age of a train driver in Britain is 48 years old, and many are set to retire within the next five years or so.
Under the new proposals set to go out to consultation, the Department for Transport (DfT) will create a new pathway for school leavers to take up apprenticeships and train to join the profession.
If agreed following the consultation, the new regulations to lower the minimum age for train drivers from 20 to 18 could be in place as early as this summer, according to the Government, which will apparently “help set thousands of young people on track to a career in transport” once they’ve bid farewell to their school days.
The Government says its proposal to lower the minimum age would “build resilience” across the railway.
The Government has launched a consultation of the lowering of the minimum train driver age / Credit: Northern
Not only is the proposal said to form part of wider Government plans to create more opportunities where young people can gain the skills they need to succeed, all while generating more jobs that lead to a “productive” and “high-skilled” economy, but transport ministers believe attracting more young train drivers would help the rail industry provide a “more reliable service” for customers when other staff are off sick or on annual leave.
By opening up the sector to young people, the Government claims this would be “a positive step” and one that directly benefits passengers.
“We want to open the door for young people considering transport as a career, and this proposal could give school-leavers a clear path into the sector,” commented Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, as the proposals were unveiled this week.
We're asking for views on lowering the minimum age requirement to become a train driver in Great Britain from 20 to 18.
This could open the door to thousands of new opportunities for young people in transport.
“By boosting age diversity in the sector and attracting more drivers, we can help support reliable services while creating opportunities for more young people.”
If the proposals are introduced, the Government says all prospective train drivers, regardless of their age, will continue to be held to the same stringent training requirements as before to ensure the safe use of our railways for everyone.
To become a licensed train driver in the UK, trainees must pass mandatory medical, psychological, fitness, and general professional competence examinations.
They must also be trained by their employer on the trains and tracks they will be deployed on.
Featured Image – Northern
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Manchester welcomes ‘proud Mancunian’ Paul Andrews as city’s new Lord Mayor
Emily Sergeant
Manchester has welcomed a new Lord Mayor this week, and he’s ready to “serve hardworking Mancunians who want to see their beloved city thrive”.
Following Councillor Yasmine Dar’s departure from the role, Councillor Paul Andrews has now taken over the reins, and was officially appointed the new Lord Mayor of Manchester during a full Manchester City Council meeting yesterday (15 May).
This makes the “proud Mancunian” the 126th person to hold the Mayor title in the city’s history.
Born in Crumpsall, and spending the majority of his life living in the Bradford area of the city before moving to Wythenshawe in 1959, Cllr Andrews successfully completed an apprenticeship in the print industry following his graduation from Poundswick Grammar School in 1970.
His working life began as a baggage handler at Manchester Airport in 1978, but it was almost two decades before he started his politics career.
Cllr Andrews was first elected to Manchester City Council in 1996, where he represented the Woodhouse Park Ward.
Manchester has welcomed ‘proud Mancunian’ Paul Andrews as the city’s new Lord Mayor / Credit: Manchester City Council
The “tireless work ethic” he demonstrated throughout his Airport career was carried over into his Councillor role, with other Manchester City Council members often noting his “outstanding” participation in committees, his serving on and completing of two terms on the Executive Committee, and his sitting on numerous governing bodies.
Most notably, he was the Council’s Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, and he also served on the Foster Panel for a decade too.
Even throughout his time as a Councillor, Paul was keen to keep to “his roots”, and chose to serve on the Manchester Airport Trust Fund and the Port Health Authority as a way of reflecting his “unflinching dedication” to “bettering Manchester”.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) May 15, 2024
Celebrating carers is described as one of Cllr Andrews’ and his wife, Karen’s – who he has been married to since 1996, and has been a “steadfast supporter” in his duty to public life – “most revisited themes”, as he was known for being passionate about improving the livelihoods of vulnerable young people with help through volunteers and professional organisations.
Outside of his political life, Cllr Andrews’ favourite way to pass the time is fishing, and he also likes to take regular visits to Ireland and Scotland with his family.
“To be appointed as Lord Mayor of this city is humbling and an utmost honour,” Cllr Andrews said after being appointed as the new Lord Mayor of Manchester yesterday.
He said the honour is one he “does not take lightly”.
“As I seek to serve hardworking Mancunians who want to see their beloved city thrive, under my tenure and through our core values of hard work, collaboration, and innovation, I aim to continue Manchester’s legacy of being a city that supports our residents to succeed,” Cllr Andrews concluded.