Amy Padley
24 Feb 2025 · Coroner Kirsten Heaven · SWANSEA & NEATH PORT TALBOT
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of integrated mental health and addiction support
“when an individual is suffering from alcohol or drug addiction alongside a mental health diagnosis, which in this case was EUPD and depression, that the focus of SUBHB is normally to advise that individual to address their addiction before they can access mental health services”
2. self-harm leading to fatal outcomes
“individuals who have a mental health diagnosis may self -medicate to manage symptoms of a mental health deterioration and that increased use of alcohol/drugs can increase the risk of self-harm to such individuals which may prove fatal”
3. absence of guidance for staff
“there is no guidance to staff within SBUHB on how to manage individuals with addiction and a mental health diagnosis and how SUBHB staff should liaise with and work alongside third-sector agencies”
4. reluctance to provide concurrent mental health support
“there appears to be a reluctance within SBUHB to offer mental health support alongside suggesting that an individual access addiction services”