NHS trust says lessons have been learned after tragic death of young worker in Milton Keynes

An NHS trust says lessons have been learned after the tragic death of a 20-year-old woman in Milton Keynes, an inquest heard today.

Courtney Porter, an outdoor pursuit centre worker, video-called her manager Ann Smith on April 3 last year to tell her she intended to end her life.

On March 31, Courtney had been discharged in the middle of lockdown from the care of mental health professionals at the Campbell Centre to the Home Treatment Team. She had asked to be allowed to remain there, the inquest heard.

Representatives from the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust said that a patient with Ms Porter's condition could not be held indefinitely in the Campbell Centre due to the risk of them developing a "dependence" on the service .

But they said lessons had been learned in terms of how discharges should be managed.

Her father Scott Porter told the coroner how his daughter tried to call him moments before she died.

Mr Porter said he felt his daughter had been carrying out an "elaborate hoax" which went wrong after consuming alcohol, to try to get sectioned and re-admitted to hospital.Ms Smith, who worked with Courtney at a local outdoor pursuits centre, had been a 'mother figure' as well as a boss to to her.

"I sort of took her under my wing to try to assist her. Courtney had my mobile number and would call me. I would help her as much as I could," she told the inquest.

She described the video call she received. "Courtney told me that she had left her flat and [was intending] to take her life. I kept telling her to turn around but Courtney kept telling me 'I can't'," she said.

Courtney worked at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre in MK and Ms Smith had noticed she seemed vulnerable.

"I sort of took her under my wing to try to assist her. Courtney had my mobile number and would call me. I would help her as much as I could," she said.

The inquest heard heard how Courtney had been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder.

Heather Barton, Ms Porter's mother, said: "My daughter knew herself, in her mind, that she was not ready to be discharged. She asked them to stay and this hospital threw her out.

"In the middle of a pandemic, Covid and their mental health - it exaggerates it. For them to place her out in the middle of lockdown, on her own, knowing the state of mind she was in, is mind boggling to me."

Dr Séan Cummings, assistant coroner for Milton Keynes, reached a conclusion of suicide and stated that he felt Ms Porter had intentionally taken her own life.

"Whilst the trust did not do as well as it should have done in some areas, I do not feel that the trust was responsible for Courtney's death," he said. "I am afraid that on the evidence I cannot find that there were missed opportunities which led to Courtney's death."

Suicide is preventable and support is available, such as Samaritans’ helpline. When life is difficult, Samaritans are there – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or email them at [email protected]