Home / Health / Family's Plea Ignored: Mental Health Services Fail
Family's Plea Ignored: Mental Health Services Fail
28 May
Summary
- Father died by suicide during a mental health crisis.
- Family claims concerns over his psychosis care were dismissed.
- A six-figure settlement was awarded following legal action.
A father, Don Taylor, died by suicide in July 2019 at the age of 78, following a mental health crisis involving psychosis. His daughter, Emma Kenny, a TV psychologist, stated that her father had previously been treated successfully for psychosis in 2000. However, when symptoms reappeared in 2018, the family's concerns were allegedly not adequately addressed by the care providers.
Kenny described a distressing period where her father's medication was frequently altered, and the family felt their input was disregarded, particularly when judgments about his capacity were made based on his appearance rather than his mental state. This struggle continued for ten months after his symptoms initially resurfaced.
The family pursued a medical negligence case against Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, ultimately receiving a six-figure settlement after a lengthy legal battle. Their solicitor noted an increase in similar cases where families feel let down by mental health services, often with devastating consequences.
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged the family's difficult experience, stating the case was settled without admission of liability and that no criticism was made of their care during the coroner's inquest.
