Linden Centre in Chelmsford rules out public inquiry into patient’s death on cost grounds

HEALTH bosses at the troubled Linden Centre are refusing to hold a public inquiry into the suicide of a “failed” patient because it would be too expensive.

Matthew Leahy, 20, of Heybridge, died at the unit after what an inquest jury ruled was a catalogue of failings by the North Essex Partnership Foundation Trust (NEPFT), where ten patients in its care have died since January.

But despite a coroner’s suggestion to hold a public inquiry, the Trust has ruled it would be too costly for the taxpayer and not in the interests of Matthew’s grieving family, even though they have campaigned for an investigation since the inquest verdict in January.

Matthew’s mother, Melanie, told the Chronicle: “I was disgraced at the way they presented the information to their board members.
Read more: http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Mum-told-inquiry-son-s-death-expensive/story-26373467-detail/story.html#ixzz49JvKKP3A