The tragic death of a 16-year-old teenager, Elise Sebastian, at the St Aubyn Centre unit in Colchester in April 2021 has been linked to failures in care by a mental health trust. Elise, a Harry Potter enthusiast and music lover, was found unresponsive in her room, raising questions about the level of supervision provided by staff members at the unit. The Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) has admitted to shortcomings in their responsibility to ensure Elise’s safety, as they were tasked with providing one-to-one care for the teenager.
During the ongoing inquest into her death, it was revealed that Elise was meant to be under constant observation due to previous self-harm attempts. However, on the day of the incident, she was able to enter her bedroom unsupervised from a communal area, leading to the tragic outcome. The Sebastian family, who are actively participating in the Lampard public inquiry investigating patient deaths, expressed their dissatisfaction with the system and how they were kept in the dark about Elise’s whereabouts after she was rushed to the hospital.
One of the attending paramedics, Michael Lewis, shared his frustration at the scene, describing a lack of clarity and responsibility among the staff members he encountered. Dr. Lisa Cunningham, a consultant in emergency medicine, noted an “air of stress” among the staff during the event. Elise’s family painted a picture of a young girl who cherished her relationships and had a passion for animals and painting. Diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, and other physical health issues, Elise’s struggles with mental health were compounded by bullying and previous admissions to mental health units.
The inquest hearing has shed light on the challenges Elise faced, presenting her as a young individual with aspirations and a loving family who have been deeply impacted by her untimely death. As the proceedings continue, it is evident that the failures in Elise’s care have had far-reaching consequences, painting a bleak picture of the shortcomings in mental health support systems
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