Shaun Turner
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2020-0050
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 28 Apr 2020
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Significant delays in accessing mental health services and support, along with the adverse psychological impact on patients of missed contact attempts, raised serious concerns.
View full coroner's concerns
In the circumstances it is my statutory to report to you During the course of the inquest; evidence was given by Mr Turner's family that whilst they accepted that there had been attempted contact of him by mental health services he was worried about how long it would take him to be able to access appropriate mental health services and receive support: He Was aware through previous contact with Mental Health services that there could be delays and when he missed a call from them, the impact of that in relation to accessing mental health services on his mind: duty preyed
Responses
Action Planned
The government has introduced access and waiting time standards for mental health services, is expanding access to talking and psychological therapies through the IAPT programme, and is working to improve mental health crisis care. They published the first Cross-Government Suicide Prevention Workplan in January 2019 and are investing £57million in suicide prevention through the NHS Long Term Plan. (AI summary)
The government has introduced access and waiting time standards for mental health services, is expanding access to talking and psychological therapies through the IAPT programme, and is working to improve mental health crisis care. They published the first Cross-Government Suicide Prevention Workplan in January 2019 and are investing £57million in suicide prevention through the NHS Long Term Plan. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Ms Mutch
Thank you for your correspondence of 3 March 2020 to Matt Hancock about the tragic death of Shaun Turner.
I would like to begin by saying how sorry I was to read of the circumstances of Mr Turner’s death and I offer my deepest sympathies to his family and those who loved him. I can appreciate how distressing his lost must be.
Your report raises important concerns about access to mental health services and I would like to provide assurance that the Government and the NHS are taking steps to ensure that no one faces a long wait to access mental health support.
We have introduced the first ever access and waiting time standards for mental health services, including standards for early intervention for people experiencing a first episode of psychosis and accessing psychological and talking therapies. These are being met or are on track for delivery. In addition, the NHS has committed to testing and rolling out comprehensive waiting time standards for adults and children over the next decade.
We are expanding access to talking and psychological therapies and improving quality through the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme1. Already, over 1 million people a year are starting treatment and we are aiming to increase access to psychological therapies for an additional 600,000 people with common mental health problems each year by 2020/21. The NHS Long Term Plan2 commits to ensuring that an additional 380,000 adults and older adults will be able to access NICE3-approved IAPT services by 2023/24.
1 https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/iapt/ 2 https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/areas-of-work/mental-health/ 3 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
In December 2019, 98.4 per cent of people who completed a course of IAPT treatment waited less than 18 weeks to start treatment and 88.6 per cent waited less than six weeks4.
The NHS Long Term Plan also commits to specific waiting times targets for emergency mental health services which will take effect for the first time from 2020/21 onwards and will align with the equivalent targets for emergency physical health services.
We recognise the need for people experiencing a mental health crisis to get the care that they need quickly. Every local health service has now signed up to having a round the clock community mental health crisis service by 2021, with people whose needs might be escalating to crisis point able to self-refer in the same way they can for urgent physical health care. More than £200million of national funding has been allocated to local areas to transform urgent and emergency mental health care and provide new, alternative forms of provision, such as safe havens and crisis cafes. An additional £140million will bolster these services further from 2021 onwards.
We know that every suicide is a tragedy that has a devastating and enduring impact on families and communities. In January 2019, we published the first Cross-Government Suicide Prevention Workplan5, which sets out an ambitious programme across national and local government and the NHS. It will see every local authority, mental health trust and prison in the country implementing suicide prevention policies.
Finally, we are investing £57million in suicide prevention through the NHS Long Term Plan. All areas of the country will see investment by 2023/24 to support local suicide prevention plans and establish bereavement support services.
I hope this response is helpful. Thank you for bringing these concerns to my attention.
NADINE DORRIES
4 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/psychological-therapies-report-on-the-use-of-iapt- services/december-2019-final-including-reports-on-the-iapt-pilots-and-quarter-3-2019-20-data 5 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/suicide-prevention-cross-government-plan
Thank you for your correspondence of 3 March 2020 to Matt Hancock about the tragic death of Shaun Turner.
I would like to begin by saying how sorry I was to read of the circumstances of Mr Turner’s death and I offer my deepest sympathies to his family and those who loved him. I can appreciate how distressing his lost must be.
Your report raises important concerns about access to mental health services and I would like to provide assurance that the Government and the NHS are taking steps to ensure that no one faces a long wait to access mental health support.
We have introduced the first ever access and waiting time standards for mental health services, including standards for early intervention for people experiencing a first episode of psychosis and accessing psychological and talking therapies. These are being met or are on track for delivery. In addition, the NHS has committed to testing and rolling out comprehensive waiting time standards for adults and children over the next decade.
We are expanding access to talking and psychological therapies and improving quality through the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme1. Already, over 1 million people a year are starting treatment and we are aiming to increase access to psychological therapies for an additional 600,000 people with common mental health problems each year by 2020/21. The NHS Long Term Plan2 commits to ensuring that an additional 380,000 adults and older adults will be able to access NICE3-approved IAPT services by 2023/24.
1 https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/iapt/ 2 https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/areas-of-work/mental-health/ 3 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
In December 2019, 98.4 per cent of people who completed a course of IAPT treatment waited less than 18 weeks to start treatment and 88.6 per cent waited less than six weeks4.
The NHS Long Term Plan also commits to specific waiting times targets for emergency mental health services which will take effect for the first time from 2020/21 onwards and will align with the equivalent targets for emergency physical health services.
We recognise the need for people experiencing a mental health crisis to get the care that they need quickly. Every local health service has now signed up to having a round the clock community mental health crisis service by 2021, with people whose needs might be escalating to crisis point able to self-refer in the same way they can for urgent physical health care. More than £200million of national funding has been allocated to local areas to transform urgent and emergency mental health care and provide new, alternative forms of provision, such as safe havens and crisis cafes. An additional £140million will bolster these services further from 2021 onwards.
We know that every suicide is a tragedy that has a devastating and enduring impact on families and communities. In January 2019, we published the first Cross-Government Suicide Prevention Workplan5, which sets out an ambitious programme across national and local government and the NHS. It will see every local authority, mental health trust and prison in the country implementing suicide prevention policies.
Finally, we are investing £57million in suicide prevention through the NHS Long Term Plan. All areas of the country will see investment by 2023/24 to support local suicide prevention plans and establish bereavement support services.
I hope this response is helpful. Thank you for bringing these concerns to my attention.
NADINE DORRIES
4 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/psychological-therapies-report-on-the-use-of-iapt- services/december-2019-final-including-reports-on-the-iapt-pilots-and-quarter-3-2019-20-data 5 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/suicide-prevention-cross-government-plan
Sent To
- Department of Health and Social Care
Response Status
Linked responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
28 Apr 2020
All responses received
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 22nd July 2019, commenced an investigation into the death of Shaun Lea Turner: The investigation concluded on the 315 January 2020 and the conclusion was one of Suicide. The medical cause of death was Ia) Drug toxicity on a background of bronchopneumonia CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH On 20th July Shaun Lea Turner was found unresponsive at his home address Dukinfield. Police investigations found there were no suspicious circumstances or evidence of 3rd party involvement; A number of notes addressed to family members were recovered. Toxicology showed that he had ingested a fatal amount of codeine: CORONER'S CONCERNS During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern: In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken; In the circumstances it is my statutory to report to you The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: During the course of the inquest; evidence was given by Mr Turner's family that whilst they accepted that there had been attempted contact of him by mental health services he was worried about how long it would take him to be able to access appropriate mental health services and receive support: He Was aware through previous contact with Mental Health services that there could be delays and when he missed a call from them, the impact of that in relation to accessing mental health services on his mind: duty preyed
ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In myopinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action: YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 of the date of this report; namely by 28u April 2020. |, the coroner; may extend the period, response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. COPIES and PUBLICATION have senta copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons namely wife of the deceased, who may find it useful or of interest am also under a to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form; He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest You may make representations to me, the coroner; at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner: Alison Mutch OBE HM Senior Coroner 03.03.2020 K days Your duty
ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In myopinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action: YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 of the date of this report; namely by 28u April 2020. |, the coroner; may extend the period, response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. COPIES and PUBLICATION have senta copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons namely wife of the deceased, who may find it useful or of interest am also under a to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form; He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest You may make representations to me, the coroner; at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner: Alison Mutch OBE HM Senior Coroner 03.03.2020 K days Your duty
Circumstances of the Death
On 20th July Shaun Lea Turner was found unresponsive at his home address Dukinfield. Police investigations found there were no suspicious circumstances or evidence of 3rd party involvement; A number of notes addressed to family members were recovered. Toxicology showed that he had ingested a fatal amount of codeine:
Action Should Be Taken
In myopinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action:
Inquest Conclusion
During the course of the inquest; evidence was given by Mr Turner's family that whilst they accepted that there had been attempted contact of him by mental health services he was worried about how long it would take him to be able to access appropriate mental health services and receive support: He Was aware through previous contact with Mental Health services that there could be delays and when he missed a call from them, the impact of that in relation to accessing mental health services on his mind: duty preyed
ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In myopinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action: YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 of the date of this report; namely by 28u April 2020. |, the coroner; may extend the period, response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. COPIES and PUBLICATION have senta copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons namely wife of the deceased, who may find it useful or of interest am also under a to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form; He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest You may make representations to me, the coroner; at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner: Alison Mutch OBE HM Senior Coroner 03.03.2020 K days Your duty
ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In myopinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action: YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 of the date of this report; namely by 28u April 2020. |, the coroner; may extend the period, response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. COPIES and PUBLICATION have senta copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons namely wife of the deceased, who may find it useful or of interest am also under a to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form; He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest You may make representations to me, the coroner; at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner: Alison Mutch OBE HM Senior Coroner 03.03.2020 K days Your duty
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.