The tragic death of Andrea Waddington, who took her own life after going three months without an NHS psychiatric appointment, has sparked outrage as her case will not be included in the Lampard inquiry looking into mental health patient deaths in Essex since 2000.
Her son, James, expressed his frustration at the exclusion of his mother’s case, stating that the experience of an outpatient is just as crucial as that of an inpatient. He highlighted the difficulties his mother faced in her treatment journey, including frequent changes in medication and a lack of available beds even if she were to have been sectioned.
James recounted how his mother’s mental health deteriorated after a series of events, including a change in medication and the illness of her own mother. Despite visits from a mental health crisis team, the support eventually stopped, leaving Andrea without the necessary help she desperately needed.
The heartbreaking story of Andrea Waddington serves as a reminder of the importance of timely and adequate mental health care. Her family’s lawyer, Priya Singh, emphasized that there are many others in similar situations who have valuable evidence to share.
While the inquiry spokesperson cited the necessity for an end date and the focus on inpatient deaths, the exclusion of cases like Andrea’s raises questions about the scope and purpose of the investigation.
As James mourns the loss of his mother, he hopes that her story will not be forgotten and that changes will be made to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The call for justice and accountability in mental health care continues as families like the Waddingtons seek answers and closure.