‘Beautiful’ mum, 35, who suffered horrific trauma died weeks after hospital discharge

A “BEAUTIFUL” mum who suffered “far more trauma than anyone should have to endure” died just weeks after being discharged from hospital, an inquest has heard.

Kate Hedges, 35, died when she was hit by a train at Gatley railway station in Stockport after becoming “disturbed by severe mental illness”.

During the course of the inquest at South Manchester Coroners Court this week, the court heard that Ms Hedges had suffered rape, coercive control and bullying earlier in her life.

She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and displayed some symptoms of psychosis.

Ms Hedges had endured suicidal thoughts but had never previously acted on them – with the drive to raise her son, who has autism, being a key factor in helping her to avoid ending her life, the inquest heard.

But in August 2020, her mental health took a downturn, and she was displaying “increasingly manic behaviour” which worried friends and family.

She was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary on August 25 before being transferred to the Medlock Ward at Trafford General Hospital, which is run by Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) NHS Foundation Trust.

The court heard she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but struggled to accept this.

Ms Hedges was moved to the Bronte Ward, at Wythenshawe Hospital, on September 9 and her family raised concerns about a lack of communication with GMMH.

The inquest also heard concerns over two safeguarding issues – with Ms Hedges alleging being assaulted by staff on the Medlock Ward, which was denied by nurses, and then being inappropriately touched by another patient on the Bronte Ward.

Coroner Christopher Morris questioned GMMH over whether Ms Hedges received enough support on each occasion, as someone with a history of PTSD.

On October 27 2020, Ms Hedges was discharged from hospital and the court heard how she was “upbeat” early in November before becoming more withdrawn.

She was last seen at her son as he went to school on November 27 before she lowered herself onto the tracks at Gatley railway station at around 1.45pm and was hit by a train travelling at speed.

In a final session of evidence today, Adam Morris, service manager for inpatient and urgent care at GMMH, told the inquest that a number of measures were now in place to improve communication.

He said patients were asked for the names of ‘anyone significant’ – such as relatives or carers – within 72 hours of admission and whether GMMH had permission to contact them with updates about their condition.

On discharge, Mr Morris told the coroner he “would hope” relatives would now be informed about potential discharge well in advance, to give them the opportunity to provide useful information.

He also told the court that GMMH has a 24-hour window for safeguarding issues to be reviewed – such as the allegations of inappropriate touching by a patient and assault by a member of staff on the ward which were made by Ms Hedges.

But the issue of safeguarding policy not being properly adhered to was one of two things the coroner said he would write about to Neil Thwaite, GMMH chief executive, along with the separate systems of record keeping that were being used by those offering different therapies.

‘DEVASTATING, UNECESSARY LOSS’

Christopher Morris said it was ‘all to easy to envisage a very real risk of death arising’ from either issue.

He is also set to write to Health Secretary Sajid Javid in another prevention of future deaths report, regarding mental health trusts having the appropriate training, equipment and facilities for trauma-related therapy.

Summing up, coroner Mr Morris said he could not give a short-form conclusion of suicide based on the evidence he heard.

He said: “Kate at all other times chose life, whatever suicidal thoughts she had been having.

“However, the evidence of the British Transport Police suggests very clear intent around the point of her death to end her life. I don’t feel a simple conclusion of suicide would be adequate or just to reflect her intentions.”

Maya Hedges, Kate’s sister, said the mum-of-one was a “force to be reckoned with” thanks to her “talent a creativity”.

“Although we know we can never bring her back, we hope that action will be taken to prevent other families experiencing such a devastating, unnecessary loss,” she said,

“We now have to learn to live with the Kate shaped hole in our lives.

“She was a sister, a daughter, a friend, a mother, an aunt, an inspiration and a warrior. She battled with her own demons all her life, strong, courageous and yet so gentle, kind and witty.

“Kate wanted to make so many changes to mental health services to help other service users have a better experience than her.

“Although Kate isn’t here, we want to, and will, make as many of those changes as possible in her honour.

“She is missed beyond measure and loved beyond belief and always will be. The world is a much sadder place without her here.”