The inquest into the death of Molly-Star Kirk, held before HM Area Coroner for Nottingham, Ms Laurinda Bower, has concluded. The coroner found that there were very substantial failures in the care provided at the Farndon Unit in Newark, Nottinghamshire, a facility run by the private company Elysium Care.
Molly’s medical cause of death could not be determined, but the coroner considered it appropriate and consistent with her Article 2 duty to investigate the quality of the care in the unit. The coroner found a whole range of shortcomings, including unsafe and dangerous practices.
This included an endemic unsafe practice of fraudulent records made by staff of observations that had not taken place, and a cursory attitude to the training of staff. There were also failures to understand and follow correct medical procedures, in relation to the administration of high-dose antipsychotic medication, with very high frequency. The coroner determined that there was a dangerous culture that prevailed on the unit which harboured a lack of care, non-adherence to care plans, and lack of management oversight.
The inquest was adjourned part-heard after the shortcomings in care became increasingly apparent.
Molly’s family were represented at the inquest by Garden Court’s Stephen Clark and, in its second phase, also by Stephen Simblet KC, Joint Head of Garden Court. Counsel were instructed by Amy Ooi of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.
- See the coroner’s note of her determinations
- The inquest, and the situation in Elysium Hospitals, was covered by BBC News and a forthcoming television programme about the situation.
- Nottingham Post coverage
- Newark Advertiser coverage
