Father Claims Concerns Over Daughter's Safety Were Ignored Before Her Tragic Death
The grieving father of Jessica Powell, a 20-year-old woman who died on a psychiatric ward, has told an inquest that his repeated warnings about the risks to her safety were "not taken seriously."
Jessica died on August 22, 2020, three days after an incident at Summerlands Hospital in Yeovil. The inquest into her death, which began on Monday at Taunton Coroners' Court, has revealed troubling details about the events leading to her death and her long struggle with mental health issues.
Family’s Long Wait for Answers
Her parents, John and Sarah Powell, endured a four-year wait for the inquest to begin. In a statement read out in court, Mr. Powell said, “We had worried about Jess's self-harming and life-threatening behaviour, and part of me was always expecting a call to say she had died, but it still came as a shock.”
Jessica had a history of severe mental health challenges. From the age of 13, after her first suicide attempt, she was frequently admitted to psychiatric hospitals, often far from her family. She was eventually diagnosed with emotionally unstable borderline personality disorder.
Incident on the Ward
The inquest heard that on the evening of August 19, 2020, Jessica was discovered trapped in a window on the ward. The window had restrictors in place, but she became stuck while trying to get through.
Ward staff provided emergency medical treatment, and she was rushed to Yeovil District Hospital. Despite their efforts, she succumbed to her injuries three days later.
In his statement, Mr. Powell expressed frustration with the communication from hospital staff: “We got a call from the ward to tell us that there had been an incident with a window and Jess was being taken to hospital as she was not breathing. Ward staff did not inform us at this point that Jess had been found trapped in the window.”
Psychiatrist’s Testimony
Jessica’s psychiatrist, Dr. Roberta Orton, told the inquest she believed Jessica did not anticipate the consequences of her actions. She suggested Jessica likely did not expect to be unable to get through the window.
Inquest Continues
The hearing is expected to conclude next week, providing a long-awaited opportunity for Jessica’s family to learn more about the circumstances of her death. For the Powells, it is a chance to seek accountability and ensure that lessons are learned to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Mr. Powell’s testimony underscores the deep anguish of a family who felt their concerns were overlooked, leaving a young woman vulnerable in a system meant to protect her.