A mother devastated by her daughter’s tragic suicide at a children’s mental health facility in Sheffield has expressed her profound grief. Mia Lucas, a 12-year-old described as lively and cheerful, passed away in January last year, prompting her mother, Chloe Hayes, to voice her unforgiving disappointment in the care provided by the NHS.
Chloe, aged 33 and hailing from Nottinghamshire, noticed a significant deterioration in her daughter’s mental health, attributing it to an undiagnosed neurological condition overlooked during tests at the Queen’s Medical Centre. Mia’s demeanor abruptly changed from cheerful to physically aggressive towards the end of 2023, leading to her tragic demise.
The Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, responsible for the mental health facility, acknowledged shortcomings in Mia’s care, prompting a comprehensive review and the initiation of corrective measures. Mia’s struggles began to emerge when she entered secondary school, displaying signs of distress over her appearance and exhibiting extreme mood swings.
Despite undergoing various tests at the QMC, Mia was diagnosed with an ‘acute psychotic episode’ and transferred to Emerald Lodge at The Becton Centre in Sheffield. Tragically, she made several attempts on her life before succumbing on January 30. An internal investigation revealed deficiencies in care, including inadequate observations, flawed communication among staff, and a lack of outdoor access for Mia.
Chloe expressed her anguish over Mia’s death, emphasizing that with proper care and treatment, her daughter could have recovered. An upcoming coroner’s hearing in November will scrutinize Mia’s death, focusing on the possibility of autoimmune encephalitis, a brain disorder triggered by the immune system attacking healthy brain cells. Ms. Hayes believes Mia’s condition compromised her judgment, leading to her tragic end.
Dr. Jeff Perring, Executive Medical Director at SCFT, extended condolences to Mia’s family and emphasized the importance of learning from the incident to improve care standards. Nottingham University Hospitals declined to comment on the matter. The article concludes with contact information for The Samaritans for those in need of support, emphasizing the importance of seeking help when struggling emotionally.