Paul Chase
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2024-0546
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 9 Dec 2024
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56-Day Deadline
9 Dec 2024
All responses received
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Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner’s Concerns
The lack of mental health/alcoholism/addiction support, treatment and therapy provided to veterans whilst they are:
1. Serving within the armed forces.
2. Undergoing intensive combat training whilstserving within the armed forces.
3. When they are released from the armed forces. The availability of resources appears to be extremley limited with some ex-veterans having to wait 18 months before a place is available.
1. Serving within the armed forces.
2. Undergoing intensive combat training whilstserving within the armed forces.
3. When they are released from the armed forces. The availability of resources appears to be extremley limited with some ex-veterans having to wait 18 months before a place is available.
Responses
The Ministry of Defence disputes the premise of a lack of support, stating that Defence has provided prompt mental health and addiction support for several years, including treatment for Mr Chase. They expressed regret at not being an Interested Person to provide full context on existing services and Mr. Chase's history.
AI summary
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Dear Ms Bhardwaj,
Ref: your PDFR dated 15 October 2024
Thank you for your letter of 15 October 2024 to the Ministry of Defence enclosing your Regulation 28 report following the sad death of Mr Paul Anthony Chase (Malone) on 13 March 2024. My deepest sympathies go out to Mr Chase’s wife, daughter and his friends and family at this difficult time.
Addressing the complex mental health needs of both serving personnel and veterans is a priority for the Ministry of Defence. While I am very receptive to the concerns that you have raised, and welcome the challenge to do more, it is unfortunate that the MOD was not considered an Interested Person at the inquest. This meant that we were unable to provide you with important information around Mr Chase’s service and medical history, and the support he had already received from the Ministry of Defence. Going forward, I respectfully request that you engage the Ministry of Defence much earlier in the inquest process where an individual’s service history may be of relevance to your investigation.
Nevertheless, I would highlight that Defence has been working hard to provide prompt, effective support for mental health issues, including addiction issues, amongst our service population and veterans for several years now. I also understand from the Defence Medical Services that Mr Chase received treatment from the MOD Department of Community Mental Health for his addiction issues before being discharged, and there is no suggestion within the records available, that Mr Chase was experiencing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during his service.
OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE - PERSONAL OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE - PERSONAL That is not to say that we shouldn’t do more, particularly where issues arise after service. Separately, it is paramount that serving personnel, veterans, and their families engage with the services we offer, to ensure that they can get the support they so rightfully deserve. I am conscious that you won’t be sighted on everything we do, and therefore I have enclosed a summary to try and give you a better understanding.
I hope that this highlights the steps that the Ministry of Defence has already taken, and under this Government’s leadership will continue to take, to support the mental health and wellbeing of our people. I can assure you that this will be a priority for my tenure as Minister for Veterans and People, particularly where there are opportunities to improve. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Ref: your PDFR dated 15 October 2024
Thank you for your letter of 15 October 2024 to the Ministry of Defence enclosing your Regulation 28 report following the sad death of Mr Paul Anthony Chase (Malone) on 13 March 2024. My deepest sympathies go out to Mr Chase’s wife, daughter and his friends and family at this difficult time.
Addressing the complex mental health needs of both serving personnel and veterans is a priority for the Ministry of Defence. While I am very receptive to the concerns that you have raised, and welcome the challenge to do more, it is unfortunate that the MOD was not considered an Interested Person at the inquest. This meant that we were unable to provide you with important information around Mr Chase’s service and medical history, and the support he had already received from the Ministry of Defence. Going forward, I respectfully request that you engage the Ministry of Defence much earlier in the inquest process where an individual’s service history may be of relevance to your investigation.
Nevertheless, I would highlight that Defence has been working hard to provide prompt, effective support for mental health issues, including addiction issues, amongst our service population and veterans for several years now. I also understand from the Defence Medical Services that Mr Chase received treatment from the MOD Department of Community Mental Health for his addiction issues before being discharged, and there is no suggestion within the records available, that Mr Chase was experiencing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during his service.
OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE - PERSONAL OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE - PERSONAL That is not to say that we shouldn’t do more, particularly where issues arise after service. Separately, it is paramount that serving personnel, veterans, and their families engage with the services we offer, to ensure that they can get the support they so rightfully deserve. I am conscious that you won’t be sighted on everything we do, and therefore I have enclosed a summary to try and give you a better understanding.
I hope that this highlights the steps that the Ministry of Defence has already taken, and under this Government’s leadership will continue to take, to support the mental health and wellbeing of our people. I can assure you that this will be a priority for my tenure as Minister for Veterans and People, particularly where there are opportunities to improve. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 25 March 2024 I commenced an investigation into the death of Paul Anthony CHASE, also known as PAUL ANTHONY MALONE, aged 41 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 11 October 2024. The conclusion of the inquest was that: Paul Anthony Chase, also known as Paul Anthony Malone, died by Suicide. Paul had a medical history of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and drug abuse (cocaine). On the morning of 13 March 2024 Paul was found deceased hanging in Woolton Woods off School Lane, Liverpool, . The toxicological analysis revealed the presence of low levels of alcohol and cocaine. The post mortem examination found the medical cause of death to be: 1a Hanging During the inquest evidence was heard how the specialist mental health services for verterans was limited and there was a lack of funding for the services, with some veterans who were desperate for help having to wait 18 months. Evidence was also heard about there being little mental health, alcoholism and addiction support packages to those currently serving in the armed forces which is essentially when the PTSD starts to develop and limited mental health/alcoholism/addiction support for those having left the armed forces.
Circumstances of the Death
Paul Anthony Chase, also known as Paul Anthony Malone, was a 41 year old gentleman who had a medical history of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and drug abuse (cocaine). On the morning of 13 March 2024 Paul was found deceased hanging in Woolton Woods off School Lane, Liverpool, . The toxicological analysis revealed the presence of low levels of alcohol and cocaine. The post mortem examination found the cause of death to be hanging. Paul had been thought to be suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder since leaving the armed forces in 2009 but had not sought medical help until 2020. Over the last three years his mental health had deteriorated. In 2020 the social stresses he experienced resulted in his cocaine use to escalate. In December 2022 he attempted to ligature himself. Paul attended the Royal Liverpool University Hospital accident and emergency department on 22
Official November 2023 after recent contact with his GP and Mersey Care Crisis line due to suicidal ideations. He was then a voluntary patient at Windsor House Mental Health unit from 24 November 2023-15 December 2023. On 15 December 2023, Paul was discharged from Windsor House and placed in Tom Harrison House, a specialist addiction recovery service for armed forces veterans. This was a 12-week residential programme. On 1 January 2024 Paul tested positive for cocaine and as the Tom Harrison House had a zero tolerance to drugs and alcohol policy (clearly communicated to the residents so Paul would have been aware of this) Paul was asked to leave Tom Harrison House. Paul was given overnight accommodation on 1 January 2024 and then a 6 month support and accommodation package for him at The Block, County Rd, Walton, a veteran charity for rehabilitation for men in crisis. Paul then chose to go back home and there was no further contact. The care and treatment afforded to Paul through Mersey care and Tom Harrison House was reasonable and appropriate. It is more likely than not Paul did have PTSD on leaving the armed forces and it had remained dormant until the social stresses of life triggered the greater symptoms of PTSD. It is more likely than not Paul carried out the act of self-harm with the intention of taking his own life.
Official November 2023 after recent contact with his GP and Mersey Care Crisis line due to suicidal ideations. He was then a voluntary patient at Windsor House Mental Health unit from 24 November 2023-15 December 2023. On 15 December 2023, Paul was discharged from Windsor House and placed in Tom Harrison House, a specialist addiction recovery service for armed forces veterans. This was a 12-week residential programme. On 1 January 2024 Paul tested positive for cocaine and as the Tom Harrison House had a zero tolerance to drugs and alcohol policy (clearly communicated to the residents so Paul would have been aware of this) Paul was asked to leave Tom Harrison House. Paul was given overnight accommodation on 1 January 2024 and then a 6 month support and accommodation package for him at The Block, County Rd, Walton, a veteran charity for rehabilitation for men in crisis. Paul then chose to go back home and there was no further contact. The care and treatment afforded to Paul through Mersey care and Tom Harrison House was reasonable and appropriate. It is more likely than not Paul did have PTSD on leaving the armed forces and it had remained dormant until the social stresses of life triggered the greater symptoms of PTSD. It is more likely than not Paul carried out the act of self-harm with the intention of taking his own life.
Copies Sent To
2. Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
1. (Cabinet Office)
Official
2. (Ministry of Defence)
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.