Braintree lady’s autism was ignored by psychological well being employees

Mental well being employees had ignored a lady’s autism earlier than she took her personal life, her mother and father mentioned.

Abbigail Smith, 26, was moved out and in of psychological well being items in Essex for eight of the ten years earlier than she died in 2022.

An inquest into her death discovered a failure to recognise her autism had a “profound impact” on her care, which amounted to neglect. The well being belief accountable later apologised.

“Abbi needed appropriate, tailored support that met all of her needs,” mentioned her mom Lisa Wolff, who lives in Dorset.

This story comprises themes of suicide that some readers might discover distressing.

She believed Ms Smith’s autism and studying difficulties weren’t taken critically in her care.

“They didn’t take enough time to get to know who she was as a person,” Mrs Wolff advised the BBC.

Her husband and Ms Smith’s stepfather, Greg, added: “For her it was OK to have mental health difficulties, but it wasn’t as fashionable, perhaps, to have autism.

“She saved that a lot quieter and she or he was very personal with that aspect of her.”

The couple insisted mental health staff were aware of Ms Smith’s condition, but accused them of ignoring it and attempting to rescind her diagnosis.

This made it impossible for the 26-year-old to receive adequate care tailored to her needs, they claimed.

“None of the psychological well being items may perceive her to a level the place they might supply her significant assist, which is why she acquired moved round a lot,” Mrs Wolff added.

Ms Smith took her life in a park in Braintree after being discharged from a mental health unit run by Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust (EPUT).

Her discharge came shortly after she told staff of an intention to take her own life upon release, the three-week inquest heard.

Ms Smith also made a video in which she said: “Last evening I used to be crying and crying. Couldn’t cease. Not one member of employees got here in to see if I used to be OK.”

Her mother accused EPUT of making some “actually horrendous choices”, as well as mixing up patient notes and accusing Ms Smith of doing things she had not done.

“We had been scared for the whole final 10 years of Abbi’s life,” Mrs Wolff mentioned.

“I wasn’t even conscious Abbi had been discharged by the clinicians, as a result of no one bothered to ring me and inform me.

“They decided they were going to discharge her despite some really serious self-harming attempts that Abbi had made on the ward with them.”

On Ms Smith’s suicide, Mr Wolff mentioned: “It was always a case of when, not if, this was likely to happen, because Abbi being in these mental health facilities always brought out the worst in her.

“Each time she went into hospital she went again out to precisely the identical circumstances and no one ever thought why that was the case.

“Nobody ever sought to make changes to her circumstances to make things better for her.”

The inquest into Ms Smith’s dying found on Friday that her therapy by EPUT amounted to neglect and her autism was by no means correctly assessed.

Mr and Mrs Wolff mentioned Ms Smith was a “complete kaleidoscope of colours” who cherished mountain climbing and horse driving.

The couple wished her dying to be a catalyst for change to make sure no different household suffered how that they had.

Mr Wolff mentioned: “All we want is for Abbi’s life to mean something.

“We strongly consider that everyone has a objective and Abbi’s objective, we hope, is to have an effect on this lasting change.”

Paul Scott, chief executive of EPUT, said: “Abbigail didn’t obtain the care she wanted and deserved and for that I want to apologise, each personally and on behalf of the belief.

“My condolences remain with her family and all who loved her at this difficult time.”

If you’re struggling misery or despair, particulars of assist and assist within the UK can be found at BBC Action Line.