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Forensic Examiner's Decision Questioned in Death Inquiry
2 Oct
Summary
- Examiner assessed patient as having no acute medical conditions.
- Decision to halt Mental Health Assessment Act review contested.
- Patient deemed not suicidal or delusional by examiner.
An inquest is examining the actions of a forensic medical examiner who previously worked for G4S, providing medical services to Devon and Cornwall Police since 2017. The examiner determined that a patient, Lewis-Ranwell, had no acute medical conditions and was not suicidal or delusional.
This assessment led the examiner to conclude that a Mental Health Assessment Act review was not appropriate. However, legal counsel for the victim's families argued that there was a consensus among custody officers and a mental health nurse for such a review, and that the examiner's decision had halted this process.
The examiner stated during the inquest that they did not halt the review, asserting the patient was in a place of safety and posed no immediate risk to themselves or others. Questions were also raised about the examiner's mental health-specific training during their employment.
