Teenager was found dead in woods near hospital she was being treated at, inquest hears
10.08.2023 - 05:33
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A teenager was found dead near the hospital she was being treated at, an inquest has heard. Evelin Chacko's family claimed in court there were 'systemic failures' at 'every stage' prior to her death.
The care the 16-year-old was provided at Royal Bolton Hospital is being examined at an inquest. Evelin was found dead on July 13, 2020, in nearby woodland.
She had been admitted following an overdose at her family's home in Farnworth on July 1. As the inquest began, Bolton Coroners' Court heard Evelin was put on an 'inappropriate' ward.
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Coroner Alan Walsh heard she had a 'long history' of 'suicidal ideation'; suffered with panic attacks; and had self-harmed. She often 'threatened' to kill herself during disagreements with her loved ones, the court heard.
She had been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder. The court heard Evelin's mother Valsamma John called an ambulance after her daughter said she had taken an overdose.
She was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital's A&E before she was put on the C2 ward the next day - an adult complex care ward dealing largely with elderly patients with complex medical needs.
Dr Geraldine Donnelly, a consultant on the ward, said the teenager stayed there as it was a 'place of safety', despite her concerns it was 'inappropriate'. She said she was not aware of the full extent of Evelin's history of mental ill-health.
She told the court she tried to contact Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) numerous times three days before Evelin died to discuss future treatment but the answerphone inbox was full. "I didn't feel there was an adequate risk assessment and plan in place for levels of