Dad found dead in Redcar flat days after mental health hospital discharge and ‘red flags’ raised
The family of a much-loved dad who was found dead in his new flat days after he was discharged from a mental health hospital say he was 'let down' by services. Lewis Richardson was described by his loved ones as funny, outgoing and kind-hearted. But the 29-year-old struggled with his mental health, battling ADHD and psychosis.
Tragically, although an inquest is yet to be held, Lewis is believed to have taken his own life near his flat in Redcar[1]. His family say they had raised their concerns to the Teesside's man housing provider over the risk of suicide at the location. Now his family say they feel Lewis was misunderstood and let down by services, claiming he was previously discharged from Roseberry Park Hospital homeless.
They say he was 'put in a taxi with his medication and had nowhere to go'. Zoe Richardson, Lewis' sister, told Teesside Live: "Lewis had quite a lot of admissions over a four or five year period. He was never really out for a long period of time within that.
"He did have ADHD and was diagnosed with psychosis - which they said was linked with drugs. The hospital was quite hell bent on the psychosis being linked to the drugs. "I think that was his coping mechanism - that was how he tried to cope with how he was feeling.
When he was discharged from the hospital, there were periods of time we weren't made aware. He was being discharged homeless. "He was put in a taxi with his medication and nowhere to go."
Lewis was discharged on December 20, 2021, to a new flat in Henry Street, Redcar[2], through North Star Housing Group. Zoe explained the property had "red flags" and potential suicide risks, making reference to Lewis' psychosis. The 35-year-old claims the housing group was made aware and made some adjustments.
Tragically Lewis was found dead, with his family claiming they were told he had 'taken his own life'. A spokesperson for North Star Housing Group said: "We were extremely saddened to learn about the death of Lewis, and previously met with his family to express our condolences. We believe we acted entirely appropriately throughout but our thoughts remain with Lewis's loved ones."
'They failed him'
Zoe and mum Julie, 59, say Lewis struggled with his behaviour and mental health since he was a child.
They claim he was previously discharged without anywhere to go from Roseberry Park, in Marton[3] Road, and say he was told by Redcar and Cleveland Council[4] he had to prove he was homeless before he would receive support. "I had him staying with me. I took him in to care for him.
Nobody would give him the opportunity," said Zoe. "He was on the street. If he wasn't, he would be in the hospital. "He would overmedicate to try and keep himself warm because he was cold.
They wouldn't give him a home. They wanted him to prove he was homeless and it put him at risk." She added: "He struggled as a child, he struggled with his behaviour.
He was at the old West Lane Hospital, that's where he was diagnosed with ADHD. It was almost as if the ADHD morphed into psychosis as an adult. "He wasn't taking drugs as a child but he was still struggling with his mental health."
A care review report - which is carried out after the death of a person in the care of the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS[5] Foundation Trust - found a summary and safety plan were not updated at Lewis' 48-hour follow up review appointment following his discharge. Lewis was also not told when his next appointment would be and the name of his new care coordinator could not be provided. While at the 48-hour appointment, there were no immediate risks or concerns raised by the psychosis team in the case notes, and it was highlighted in the 72 rapid review meeting that the safety summary risk assessment had not been updated.
Regarding record keeping, the rehabilitation team did not get the opportunity to carry out a full assessment of Lewis' needs following his discharge. It is understood that learning was identified that there could have been more information documented within the records surrounding Lewis's presentation at that time. "They failed him on that - it's come back that they should have done more," said Zoe.
The Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS[6] Foundation Trust says while their thoughts go out to Lewis' family, the trust is not able to comment on the care and treatment Lewis received until an inquest has taken place.
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Click here to join our WhatsApp community[10]. "He was really funny and outgoing. He had a dry sense of humour.
He didn't know he was funny sometimes," Zoe added. "He was a much loved and dearly missed son, brother, dad, uncle, nephew and grandson. "He was really kind-hearted. He loved spending time with his family.
When he was well he would go above and beyond for you - that was the type of person he was. "We just feel like we have no closure. He hasn't got a headstone because he's not at peace.
We're just waiting." A spokesperson for Redcar and Cleveland Council[11] said: "All our sympathies are with the family following this tragic death. We will continue to work with the coroner's office as investigations continue."
A date for Lewis' inquest has not yet been set.
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References
- ^ Redcar (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Redcar (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Marton (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Redcar and Cleveland Council (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ NHS (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ NHS (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Redcar and Cleveland Council (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ go here (www.gazettelive.co.uk)