Elements of Emily Moore's care plan unsafe, court told

Emily Moore died in 2020 while being treated in hospital at Durham

Elements of the care provided by a health trust to a teenager who took her own life were unsafe, a court heard.

Emily Moore, from Shildon, County Durham, died at Durham's Lanchester Road Hospital shortly after her 18th birthday in 2020.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is prosecuting the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Trust, alleging it breached the Health and Social Care Act.

At Teesside Magistrates' Court, the trust has denied any failings in care.

Miss Moore had a history of self-harm and was admitted to the hospital at short notice because there was a lack of other suitable community facilities, the court has heard.

'High risk'

However, the CQC has claimed her care and intervention plan was inadequate and failed to mention specific risks Miss Moore presented to herself.

Tim McDougall, a nursing expert for the CQC, told the court "elements of the care provided to Emily were unsafe".

He said: "Emily's risk of self-harm was well known and well documented. There was a high risk of death through self-harm in Emily's case and I would expect to see a care plan with those specific risks included.

There were known risks in her room and he "would expect to see a specific reference of that in that plan so staff could manage that risk", he added.

Care plan 'delivered'

The trust says its care plan was thoughtful and appropriate.

Dr Francesca Denman, a former health trust medical director giving evidence for the trust, said the scale of Miss Moore's risk was understood from the moment she arrived on the ward.

"There was a plan and I could see the plan was delivered," she explained.

"Observations were conducted and I was quite struck when reading the notes, the good level of detail.

"There was a good level of warmth from nursing staff. Staff had sat down and chatted to Emily. I thought there was a good level of care from nursing staff.

"I thought the care plan was safe and reasonable."

The trial at Teesside Magistrates' Court continues.

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