Teenager's death after hospital failings is ruled unlawful
Summary
An inquest found that a 14-year-old girl named Ruth Szymankiewicz was unlawfully killed due to failing care at a mental health hospital in Berkshire, England. The hospital staff, including an employee with fake ID, did not properly supervise Ruth, contributing to her self-harm and eventual death. The hospital, which has since shut down, was previously rated inadequate by health inspectors.Key Facts
- Ruth Szymankiewicz was 14 years old and receiving care for an eating disorder.
- She was left alone for about 15 minutes at Huntercombe Hospital on February 12, 2022.
- An inquest jury ruled her death as unlawful due to insufficient staff supervision and training.
- The staff member supervising her was on his first shift and used fake identification.
- The hospital where she was treated had been rated as "inadequate" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2021.
- Ruth's care was deemed unsuitable for her recovery, as noted by the jury.
- Her parents expressed that the care system failed to protect and support her.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
