Christopher McDonald
7 Apr 2025 · Coroner Sian Reeves · South London
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of knowledge of AWOL policy
“staff working on the NPU did not have knowledge or a clear understanding of the "AWOL - Missing & Absent Persons Policy" of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust”
2. staff did not accompany police when returning patient
“The policy provides that SLAM staff should always accompany the police if the patient is to be returned from their home”
3. no action plan drawn up for police return
“The policy provides that if the police are likely to be involved in returning the patient to hospital then an action plan - jointly drafted between the police and Trust staff - needs to be drawn up”
Responses
2025-0172-Response-from-South-London-and-Maudsley-NHS-Foundation-Trust.pdf ↗· South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Stated action
“The Trust's AWOL Policy now mandates that a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) risk assessment must be conducted following every Absence Without Leave (AWOL) incident. The Responsible Clinician is required to promptly review the patient's leave status thereafter.”