In 2018, aged 24, she was admitted to Vincent Square Eating Disorder Service (VSEDS), run by the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, after struggling with her mental health. Four hours later she tried to take her own life; the failed attempt left her in a vegetative state for three years until she died of pneumonia in July 2021.
The inquest held this week was not directed to examine her stay at the Huntercombe Hospital and did not link her death with the 2009 admission. However, Melissa’s mother Melanie told The Independent, after the jury returned its verdict on Thursday, that she thought her daughter’s 18-month experience at the Huntercombe Hospital had “destroyed” her.
“She got trapped,” Ms Parrish explained. “We saw how Melissa disappeared. She stopped having a relationship with us. She started self-harming, and when she was told it would be longer than 12 weeks, she just died. She stopped eating... she was just traumatised.” Eventually, NHS commissioners advised discharging the 15-year-old as she was not improving. Her mother recalls her daughter later saying: “Huntercombe did something to me.”
Denne historien er fra September 21, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra September 21, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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