The family of a vulnerable Meath woman who repeatedly tried to take her own life within a short time of being discharged from hospital has expressed concern about the care provided by mental health services.
An inquest heard Linda Kennedy (56) of Cardrath, Collon, Co Meath was found dead in her home on August 26th, 2021 just hours after being discharged from Drogheda Department of Psychiatry – a HSE-run facility operated as part of Louth-Meath Mental Health Services.
It was the fourth time the woman, who had been classified as a "moderate to high risk", had tried to take her own life in the space of seven weeks.
In a statement read out at the hearing in Trim Courthouse on Monday, the deceased’s daughter, Sarah Kennedy, outlined how her mother had attempted to kill herself on three other occasions in the weeks before her death.
The coroner, Nathaniel Lacy, heard that each attempt occurred shortly after Ms Kennedy had been allowed to return home after seeking medical care.
Inquest
The inquest heard Ms Kennedy’s brother, Patrick Dixon and her son, Jack Kennedy brought her to the emergency department in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth on July 9th, 2021 and then to the Drogheda Department of Psychiatry.
However, she was not admitted and was allowed to return home.
Ms Kennedy tried to take her own life again three days later and was brought back to the hospital on July 12th, 2021 by her family but was not admitted.
The corner was informed that the reason she was not admitted on her second presentation at the hospital was because she had an appointment with the Louth -Meath Mental Health Services the following day.
Just hours after returning from Our Lady of Lourdes, Ms Kennedy made another attempt to take her life, which required her to be returned to the hospital for the second time that day.
Ms Kennedy remained a patient at the hospital until she was discharged a week later on July 19th, 2021.
While she was in hospital, Ms Kennedy sent a "suicide-like" note to her son.
Although hospital staff were informed about this, a registrar subsequently incorrectly claimed that the text had been sent before her admission to hospital.
Her daughter said she had difficulty in finding out from the hospital who had signed her discharge form.
Ms Kennedy said her mother was brought back to the Drogheda Department of Psychiatry after suffering several injuries from another attempt in the early hours of July 20th, 2021.
She said her family had expressed concern to medical staff on August 20th, 2021 that Ms Kennedy was due to be discharged back to a house where she lived on her own.
Ms Kennedy noted each of four of her mother's attempts to take her life had occurred just hours after her mother had been discharged or allowed to go home.
Yvette Giblin, a consultant psychiatrist from Louth-Meath Mental Health Services, said she and two other consultants had assessed the patient in the two months before her death and had all concluded that she did not suffer from clinical depression.
Evidence
In evidence, Dr Giblin said Ms Kennedy was suffering from a number of long-standing psycho-social stressors including concerns about her finances and divorce proceedings, while also having feelings of isolation.
However, Dr Giblin stressed that nothing could be done in an in-patient setting to address such stressors.
The psychiatrist said Ms Kennedy also suffered from stress, anxiety and weight loss, while also having a negative outlook on life but had “limited coping skills”.
Dr Giblin told counsel for Louth-Meath Mental Health Services, Rebecca Graydon BL that she felt Ms Kennedy’s issues were primarily linked to personality traits or difficulties.
Dr Giblin said the majority of such patients were treated in the community and not in hospital.
She pointed out to the coroner that 20 per cent of suicides occur within seven days of being discharged from hospital.
The psychiatrist also noted that 50 per cent of suicides occur among people classified as low risk.
However, she accepted she had assessed Ms Kennedy as being “moderate to high risk”.
She regarded Ms Kennedy’s risk as “dynamic” which she explained meant “changeable and unpredictable.”
However, the psychiatrist stressed that in-patient services could do nothing to mitigate the risk.
Dr Giblin said it was important to understand what was the cause of a person’s mental distress as there were different pathways for treatment.
Under cross-examination by counsel for Ms Kennedy’s family, Doireann O’Mahony BL, Dr Giblin said a test for a personality disorder had to be done by a psychologist which was not available in an in-patient setting.
She said Ms Kennedy had agreed to having such a test.
Asked if it was safe to allow someone who might have a personality disorder to leave hospital, Dr Giblin replied: “It is not a reason to keep someone in hospital. Had we done [a test], it would not have changed her discharge plan.”
The coroner, Nathaniel Lacy, returned a verdict of self-inflicted death and offered his condolences to Ms Kennedy’s family.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can freephone the Samaritans 24 hours a day for confidential support at 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
You can also freephone the national Bereavement Support Line run by the HSE and Irish Hospice Foundation at 1800-80 70 77 (Monday-Friday 10am-1pm), and the contact information for a range of mental health supports is available at mentalhealthireland.ie/get-support/.
In the case of an emergency, or if you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self-harm, dial 999/112.
