Emily Voukelatou
11 Jan 2017 · Coroner ME Hassell · London Inner (North)
A similar concern from this report was raised again 1 time later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of family involvement in crisis care
“1. I heard evidence from the consultant psychiatrist responsible for Ms [name redacted] care at Crisis House that it is not routine for the crisis team to involve family members in the care of a patient. I wonder whether that is a policy that would benefit from reconsideration? Otherwise potentially helpful input may be lost. One of the mental health nurses said that families are sometimes invited to meetings, but nobody thought about this for Ms [name redacted]. Her family live in Greece, but she was”
2. unanswered family calls
“Ms [name redacted] sister telephoned Crisis House several times, very worried, both before and after Ms [name redacted] death (not having been informed that her twin had died), but her calls were never returned. Apparently, these were not passed on to the right people, but witnesses in court were not aware of the detail of this. Leaving relatives' repeated calls unanswered cannot be right. It loses potentially valuable information, creates additional anxiety and is simply discourteous.”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.85 · high
This report
“I heard evidence from the consultant psychiatrist responsible for Ms [name redacted] care at Crisis House that it is not routine for the crisis team to involve family members in the care of a patient.”
Later report
“Mr [name redacted] lived with his sister, who wanted very much to be involved with his care. However, I did not hear any evidence of engagement with her by C&I, either:”
Responses
2017-0004-Response-by-Camden-and-Islington-NHS-Trust.pdf ↗· Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
Stated action · last year
“We have also reinforced the importance of working with families in our updated, risk assessment training which has been rolled out over the last 12 months.”
Stated action
“we have issued staff at North Camden Crisis House with clear guidance to ensure that numbers and contact details are clearly provided to families participating in a services user's care so they are able to speak directly to a senior staff member.”