Ipswich coroner raises 'deep concerns' after Ellen Woolnough death

Dr Darren Stewart said he had "deep concerns" about how NSFT dealt with Ellie Woolnough's case

A coroner said he had "deep concerns" over an investigation carried out by a mental health trust following the death of a 27-year-old woman.

Ellen Woolnough, 27, from Ipswich, died in 2022 while under the care of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT).

Known as Ellie, she had struggled with her mental health and had been in contact with the trust's crisis team.

Coroner Dr Darren Stewart said there had been "failings" by the NSFT.

'Deep concerns'

The inquest heard how Ms Woolnough had been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) and anxiety.

She attempted to take her own life on 20 July 2022 and was subsequently admitted to hospital, where she died eight days later.

The previous day Ms Woolnough had been in contact with the trust's crisis team who downgraded her case from "emergency" to "urgent".

Dr Stewart explained how NSFT policy required approval from a secondary clinician before the step was taken, but this did not occur.

He referred to a crisis triage call as "key evidence" in the case but the inquest heard it had been deleted due to a delay in NSFT starting its investigation following the death.

"The trust was blissfully ignorant about what had happened," Dr Stewart said, adding that he had "deep concerns" with the way in which the investigation was conducted.

In a statement, Ms Woolnough's parents James and Lisa, said: "We have spent hundreds of hours navigating a legal system we had known nothing about."

They added the experience had been detrimental to their own "mental, emotional and physical health."

Representing the trust, Indi Kaur said: "The trust are taking the matters that have been raised in this inquest very, very seriously."

Dr Stewart is expected to conclude proceedings on 13 February.

A report to prevent future deaths is expected to be published following an inquest.