Hospital neglected suicidal man before his death

There was confusion over the treatment of Jamie Pearson, Blackpool coroner Alan Wilson said.

A suicidal man killed himself in a hospital toilet amid staff confusion over whether he should see a mental health team, a coroner has said.

Jaime Pearson, 27, who had been admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital after an overdose of pain killers, died after waiting 22 hours for treatment.

Blackpool coroner Alan Wilson found Mr Pearson's death was "suicide contributed to by neglect".

Maggie Oldham, chief executive at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "I am truly sorry that we did not do more to keep Mr Pearson safe."

The inquest was told Mr Pearson was admitted to the hospital's accident and emergency unit on 17 August 2024 after telling his mother he had overdosed.

Mr Wilson said while being initially seen, Mr Pearson had told staff he had made an attempt to self-harm using a ligature, "the significance of which went under-appreciated whilst in hospital".

He added: "At an early stage there was confusion about whether in addition to being treated for the overdose he needed assistance from mental health professionals."

Mr Pearson was left for a "lengthy period of time... without necessary mental health input".

The coroner said early on 18 August Mr Pearson's mental health was clearly deteriorating, with his calls for help left unheard "partly because of the confusion about whether a referral to mental health professionals had been made".

The hospital was found to have failed in its care of Jamie Pearson

Later that afternoon, Mr Pearson went to a disabled toilet and used an item of clothing as a ligature.

Hospital staff who found Mr Pearson "unresponsive" resuscitated him, but he died four days later, unable to survive the loss of oxygen to his brain.

His mother, Julie Knowles, who took him to the GP in July 2024 over his suicidal thoughts, said: "What I will never get over or be able to forgive is the complete disregard for Jamie's well-being in a period of crisis."

She claimed: "A nurse stated quite bluntly that he needed to be medically fit before he was referred to the mental health team.

"I'll never forget Jamie's face when that happened. He looked totally deflated."

Her solicitor Amy Rossall said legal action was likely as "this inquest has highlighted a string of failings and missed opportunities to ensure Jamie was properly assessed and treated".

Trust boss Ms Oldham said: "We have already taken steps to improve assessment, referrals, documentation and treatment of patients needing mental health support in the emergency department but we know that we have more work to do and thank the coroner for his findings."