Daughter lost in mental health system, says mum
The mother of a 26-year-old who killed herself after years of mental health treatment told a public inquest that her daughter was “lost in the system”.
Lisa Wolff gave evidence about her daughter Abbigail Smith at the Lampard Inquiry, which examined the deaths of more than 2,000 people within Essex NHS mental health services over a 24-year period.
She said her daughter’s autism was not taken seriously by staff and she was treated “through a very narrow lens – like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.”
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) has apologized to Abbigail’s family for the failures in her care.
One Inquest into Abbigail’s death It found that failure to recognize his autism had a “profound impact” on his care, amounting to neglect.
At the Lampard Inquiry on Tuesday, her mother told Abbigail had been moved between mental health units on numerous occasions, although she did go for what was initially believed to be a two-week stay.
Lisa said that although Abbigail was officially diagnosed with autism twice, this was repeatedly denied by health professionals and Lisa was accused of making it up several times.
“I have been ignored, berated, pushed aside to the detriment of my own mental health,” the Baroness told Lampard.
Lisa Wolff says her daughter’s autism and learning disabilities were ignored by mental health staff [Family photo]
Before her final stay at the Linden Center in Chelmsford, Abbigail was moved between units more than 10 times between the ages of 17 and 26.
A letter from Abbigail describing her time in the Larkwood Ward at St Aubyn Center in Colchester when she was 17 was read to the inquest.
The inquest was also played several videos taken by Abbigail in the last few days of her stay, in which she repeatedly spoke of wanting to end her life and criticized staff on the ward.
He committed suicide 36 hours after being discharged in February 2022.
The investigation said there was “no plan to reduce the real and immediate risk” and described this as a “major failure”.
An emotional Lisa described the investigation as follows: “[Abbigail] I was lost in the system – I won’t forgive myself for that. He deserved better.”
Speaking to the BBC after giving evidence, Lisa told the inquest that she was pleased to be able to play videos of her daughter and that she “needed a place in the room”.
“I hope lessons are learned from this because we cannot allow another Abbi Smith situation to happen – it is such an outrageous injustice that no one else should have to go through what Abbi went through.”
Abbigail Smith moved between mental health units several times over a 10-year period [Family photo]
EPUT CEO Trevor Smith said: “My thoughts are with Abbigail’s family, friends and loved ones and I would like to say how sorry I am for their loss and the failures in her care.”
He continued: “All of us in healthcare have a responsibility to work together to improve care and treatment for everyone, recognizing the complex links between mental and physical health, and to build on the improvements that have already been made over the last 24 years.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the inquiry heard from EPUT’s deputy chairman of the board, Loy Lobo.
He said the board was “confident” the trust would continue its involvement in the investigation under the joint interim leadership of Smith and Alex Green.
Lobo explained that the two will remain in office for “at least a year” before the board decides who will be in charge of EPUT.
Paul Scott stepped down as CEO in June and Speaking at the inquest on MondayHe said improvements have been made in the organization.
Concluding his statement, Lobo told the inquiry: “On behalf of the board, we are absolutely committed to supporting the objectives of the investigation and you can be assured that this will continue.”
Do you have any story suggestions for Essex? Contact us below.
Follow Essex news BBC Voices, Facebook, instagram And X.
