A coroner’s inquest has concluded with a verdict of suicide in the case of Matthew Arkle, 37, who died in April 2017 at Wedgwood House in Bury St Edmunds. The mental health unit is operated by Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
Family’s concerns and missed warnings
Matthew was admitted to Wedgwood House in February 2017 after an overdose. His family and care coordinator reported a decline in his mental health, with worsening auditory hallucinations and increased smoking, which impacted his medication’s effectiveness.
Despite concerns expressed by his family and care coordinator, Matthew was granted an hour of unescorted leave on April 4th. His family had explicitly requested that he not be allowed unsupervised leave as they were away in London and feared he might feel abandoned. However, the inquest revealed that the nurse who approved the leave was unaware of these concerns.
Tragic discovery
When Matthew failed to return from his leave, the police were alerted. His mother was informed only after his absence had been reported. By the following day, the police upgraded his risk level to high. Tragically, on the morning of April 6th, Matthew’s body was discovered within the grounds of Wedgwood House, near the car park.
Questions remain unanswered
Tim Deeming, a Partner at Tees Law, represented Matthew’s family during the inquest. He highlighted the family’s concerns regarding several unanswered questions and systemic failures at the hospital.
“The Court heard about repeated failures, including poor record-keeping, inadequate communication, and the disregard of the family’s explicit requests. Matthew’s care coordinator, who had known him for years, had warned that his mood was at its lowest. Yet this vital information was not acted upon,” Deeming said.
He further criticised the hospital’s delayed response, noting that earlier police involvement may have increased the chances of finding Matthew alive.
Family’s heartfelt response
Matthew’s mother, Sheila, expressed her grief:
“We thought Matty was safe because he was in the hospital. He was let down by those entrusted with his care. If changes are made to prevent another family from going through this pain, Matty’s life will have left a legacy.”
Coroner’s recommendations
The coroner will submit a Prevention of Future Deaths report to ensure lessons are learned. The jury highlighted the following critical failures:
- Inadequate record-keeping
- Poor verbal and written communication
- High stress levels and activity on the ward
- Delayed response to Matthew’s disappearance
- Inappropriate timing of his unescorted leave
Support and contact
Matthew’s family has requested privacy and asked that all media inquiries be directed to Tim Deeming at Tees Law: tim.deeming@teeslaw.com.
For free, confidential support regarding medical negligence, please reach out to legal or mental health professionals.
