Kings Chambers barrister Richard Borrett represented the family in the Article 2 Jury inquest into the death of a Liverpool woman in February 2015.
The Trust apologised to Laura’s parents for the care she received and admitted that the Harrington Ward was “chaotic and dysfunctional” at the time of Laura’s death.
Today, the jury recorded a narrative verdict into her death.
The jury also concluded that from the evidence provided there was a history of severe failings to provide an adequate environment and care at the Broadoak Unit and that it is more likely than not that they significantly contributed to the event of Laura’s death
Laura’s father Joe Mottram said: “Laura was a wonderful daughter and spent a lot of her time volunteering to help animals and she loved telling us all about the enjoyment she got out of her volunteer work on a local farm.
“She loved and cared about her family and we will always remember her as the kind, happy, generous and funny person she was. We all adored her and feel absolutely devastated that she is no longer with us.
“We have struggled to come to terms with everything that happened to Laura at the Broadoak Unit and our suffering has been made worse knowing that knowing that there were failings in the care provided by the hospital.
“Laura was a vulnerable young woman in crisis and it is difficult for us to understand why she was not better protected. The Trust has admitted these mistakes and apologised to us, but we know nothing will bring Laura back.
“We can only hope that the Trust now makes the necessary changes to ensure that vulnerable people it is responsible for are safe in its care.”
Reading out the conclusion, Coroner Andre Rebello thanked Merseycare for their candour, frankness and for fixing a deficit in mental health services in the region. He also highlighted that no deaths had been reported to him since Laura’s.
Richard regularly acts in inquests and litigation arising from Psychiatric care (MHA, informal and outpatient). He was instructed by Ayse Ince of Irwin Mitchell LLP
