Miriam Roach

On 18th July 2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Miriam Roach (DOB 28/03/1962 Aged 55). The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 29th March 2018.

The legal conclusion of the inquest was Suicide.

The four questions - who, when, where and how – were answered as follows. Miriam Roach died on 1st July 2017

by hanging from a door using a ligature made from a scarf.

The medical cause of death was established on the evidence as hanging.

Miriam Roach had a previous medical history of depression, anxiety and alcohol dependency. The history indicated that intoxication on occasion led to self-harm.

Miriam had attended a number of detoxification programmes – in 2006, 2014, 2017. Miriam had previously taken overdoses in July & August 2006, July 2008, and lastly 29th June 2017. Miriam had received support from drug and alcohol support service Addaction in relation to alcohol addiction, on and off since 2013. The death of her mother and father at the end 2016 appears to have triggered an increase in alcohol consumption.

Miriam attempted suicide on the 29th June 2017 and was admitted overnight at Royal Cornwall Hospital (RCHT). On the same day Miriam informed medical staff that she was disappointed she had not died and was found to have suicidal intentions.

The following day 30th June 2017, Miriam was assessed by the psychiatric team. The assessment recorded a moderate risk of self-harm when intoxicated. Miriam informed the team that she now regretted the overdose from the previous evening and indicated no plans to act on suicidal thoughts. Protective factors were identified. Miriam was found to have capacity and no grounds were identified for consideration of detention under the Mental Health Act.

Miriam was then discharged from RCHT on 30th June 2017 with a care plan which did not include a contact plan. There was no arrangement for Miriam to be contacted by support services or any health services following discharge. The NICE guidance entitled ‘Transition between inpatient mental health settings and community or care home settings’ states patients discharged from specialist mental health services should be contacted within a week, and those thought to be at risk of suicide within 48 hours. The court heard that the NICE guidance did not apply in Miriam’s case because RCHT was not a mental health setting.

namely a review of the aftercare or transition arrangements for those discharged from hospital to home with a moderate to high risk of self-harm and/or suicide following incidents of self-harm or suicide, including a review of the obligations for putting in place contact plans for such patients.