Essex woman's mental health checks may have been missed, inquest told
- Published
Morgan-Rose Hart died in July 2022 after an incident at the Derwent Centre in Harlow
A police officer told an inquest it was "obviously concerning" that checks on a woman at an Essex mental health unit may have been missed before her death.
Morgan-Rose Hart, 18, from Chelmsford, was found unresponsive in her bedroom at the Derwent Centre in Harlow on 6 July 2022. She died a week later.
Police noted that staff at the unit were "obstructive" when they visited the day after her death, the inquest was told.
The hearing is due to last three weeks.
Opening the inquest on Monday, coroner Sonia Hayes told the jury Ms Hart had struggled with body dysmorphia and had been detained under the mental health act several times.
She had a "history of suicidal ideation," the jury was told.
In a written statement, Ms Hart's mother described her as "caring and funny, with a huge passion for animals and wildlife".
She said her daughter "aspired to be an exotic vet and would have made an amazing one".
The statement ended: "She was beautiful and had a vibrant personality, her tragic loss has left a huge void which will never be filled. We miss her very much."
Ms Hart's mother described her as "caring and funny"
Paramedic Lucy Bailes, who attended the unit on 6 July, said the "patient told staff she was going to have a shower".
She was found unresponsive an hour later, Ms Bailes said in a statement.
Ms Hart eventually died at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow on 13 July.
Police were called to the Derwent Centre, run by Essex Partnership University NHS Trust (EPUT), on 14 July and one officer noted staff were "being obstructive", the court heard.
PC Alan Kittles, who attended the unit, said he was told one staff member told a colleague they could have "missed the incident".
It was discussed that checks on Ms Hart "could have been missed" which PC Kittles said was "obviously concerning".
He told the jury ordinarily he would have "expected to be called sooner".
A statement from Sgt Matthew Hughes claimed that PC Kittles's - his colleague - had claimed one staff member was "very reluctant to give information".
The inquest continues.
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