Son of Northallerton pensioner believes NHS to blame for death

At an inquest at Northallerton Coroner's Court yesterday (Monday, October 14), the court heard that Evelyn Boyd, 72, from Northallerton, died on September 22, 2023, following years of mental health struggles with an Emotional Personality Disorder.

During the inquest, it was heard that Evelyn, a former care assistant at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, was treated at West Park in Darlington and Roseberry Park in Middlesbrough in the years before her death. 

Son of Northallerton pensioner claims NHS to blame for death

But, according to Evelyn's son, Ashley Ajisafe, the care his mum received throughout the NHS and the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust did not do enough when it came to medicine, picking up on Evelyn's thoughts of self-harm, and the level of care she received. 

Mr Ajisafe also believes that his mum might have been safer in a hospital or care setting at the time of her death - which saw her discharged from Roseberry Park 16 days before her death.

Speaking at the inquest, he said: "I'm not happy about what I heard at the inquest today - I just want some accountability. 

Northallerton Coroner's Court (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) "I'm disappointed that my mum's death has been brushed under the carpet. 

"I didn't want to come here and point fingers, but I want answers as to why this was allowed to happen."

The Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust admitted during the inquest that "lessons had been learnt" - which includes more thorough checks when it comes to care plans and patient care. 

But the Trust also noted that staff did "all they could" to care for Evelyn and "couldn't have prevented the outcome" with any level of care it would have provided. 

West Park Hospital in Darlington (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) This level of care that the Trust referred to was carried out in part by Laura Blythe, who is a mental health nurse and visited Ms Boyd each week to check up on her. 

Coroner Jonathan Leach called Ms Blythe as a witness during the inquest, where the mental health nurse said she had noted Ms Boyd had expressed thoughts about self-harm and wanting to end her own life - but said that these thoughts from Ms Boyd had been expressed before and weren't "out of the ordinary".

Northallerton Coroner's Court (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) This included Ms Blythe visiting Ms Boyd on the day of her death - which saw the pensioner struggling with feelings of loneliness and continued complaints about her dentures.

Most read:

• Hospices at crisis point facing 'unsustainable' financial pressures
• Horror as County Durham mum killed by ottoman bed which fell trapping her neck
• County Durham woman stabbed partner in back after drunken domestic row

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access to the latest offer for annual or monthly subscription. Click here for details.

The inquest also heard from Nicola Everatt, who investigated Evelyn's case within the NHS, who said that communication between the families of patients and the NHS had been improved following Evelyn's death, while also offering an apology to the family of Ms Boyd.

Throughout the hearing, health professionals, including Dr Jennifer Adams, from the  Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust, said that she didn't believe that the medication Ms Boyd received contributed towards her "lowered mood" and that "everything" had been done to improve Ms Boyd's mental health.

The inquest continues at Northallerton Coroner's Court today (Tuesday, October 15), where Mr Leach will conclude his findings into the hearing.