Neglect by hospital staff contributed to the death of a detained patient in a Darlington hospital, an inquest jury has concluded. Matthew Gale, 37, died on the train tracks on Mothers’ Day last year. At the time, he was an inpatient at West Park Hospital sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
An inquest at Crook Coroners’ Court heard that staff at West Park filled out the wrong forms, failed to tell Matthew’s mother, Sue Gale, that she must stay with him at all times whilst he was on leave, and did not notice he was missing for nearly two hours the day that he died. The jury unanimously concluded that neglect by hospital staff contributed to his death. They also told the court that the trust’s failure to tell Mrs Gale about the conditions of Matthew’s leave contributed to his death.
Jurors found that West Park Hospital, run by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys trust, failed to follow its own policy. The jury foreman told the court: “Matthew's death occurred on March 19, 2023. Matthew had a history of mental ill health, involving periods as a patient at West Park Hospital in Darlington.
“He intended to take his own life and he did so. Trust policy was not followed, including the forms that were filled out, and not contacting the family about the salient issue of section 17 leave. “The failure to contact the family contributed to Matthew’s death.
Hospital policy had not been followed in regard to his leave. This allowed him to take his own life. “His death was cont.