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Coroner warns of fatal gaps in mental health care
20 Aug
Summary
- A 69-year-old patient died after not seeing a dietitian.
- Coroner warns nationwide dietitian shortage puts lives at risk.
- Hospital staff failed to recognize patient's nutritional needs.
A coroner has issued a grave warning regarding the critical shortage of dietitians in NHS mental health wards, suggesting that further patient deaths are possible. The concern was heightened following the death of Neeshat Dalal, 69, who was admitted to the Heathfield ward in November 2022 for severe depression.
During her stay, Ms. Dalal, who had struggled with eating and drinking for months, was not seen by a dietitian due to the trust's inability to afford one for the ward. This lack of nutritional support, coupled with a failure to promptly refer her to gastroenterology specialists, contributed to her death from a heart attack in December 2022.
East Sussex Coroner Rachel Redman highlighted that the issue of insufficient funding for dietitians is not localized but appears to be a nationwide problem within the NHS. The coroner emphasized the statutory duty to report, stating a risk of future deaths unless action is taken to ensure these vulnerable patients receive essential dietary and nutritional support.
