A mother has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of her 12-year-old daughter who took her own life while in a hospital in Sheffield. Mia Lucas, known for her lively personality, passed away at a specialized children’s mental health facility in January last year.
Investigations into the incident uncovered various shortcomings in Mia’s care, leading her mother, Chloe Hayes, to express her unforgiving disappointment in the NHS for failing to support her daughter in her time of need. Chloe, aged 33 and from Nottinghamshire, noticed a significant decline in Mia’s mental well-being within a few weeks, attributing it to an undiagnosed neurological condition overlooked during earlier assessments at the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).
The Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT), responsible for the mental health facility, reported conducting a comprehensive evaluation and initiating corrective measures. Chloe recalled how Mia’s behavior drastically changed from being cheerful to exhibiting physical aggression towards the end of 2023.
Mia’s challenges emerged when she started secondary school, showing signs of dissatisfaction with her appearance and reduced eating habits. She began experiencing severe mood swings, ranging from extreme happiness to uncontrollable crying. On New Year’s Eve, Mia confided in her mother about hearing voices encouraging self-harm.
Subsequently, Mia’s behavior escalated to physical aggression, leading to her hospitalization at QMC for various tests, including an MRI scan. Despite normal test results, she was diagnosed with an ‘acute psychotic episode.’
After being sedated at the hospital for over a week, Mia was transferred to Emerald Lodge at The Becton Centre in Sheffield under the Mental Health Act. Tragically, she made multiple suicide attempts using items from her room before her passing on January 30.
An investigation by SCFT revealed lapses in Mia’s care, including inadequate observation practices, unsuitable observation charts, and poor staff communication during shifts, resulting in crucial information about Mia not being relayed.
Chloe lamented the rapid deterioration of Mia’s mental state, emphasizing that Mia’s previously happy disposition made her daughter’s tragic death even more devastating. A coroner’s hearing in November in Sheffield will reexamine Mia’s death, with Hudgell Solicitors representing the family challenging whether subtle indicators of autoimmune encephalitis seen on an earlier MRI scan should have dictated a different treatment path.
Autoimmune encephalitis, an uncommon brain disorder triggered by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy brain cells post-infection, was noted in Mia’s case. Symptoms may include memory issues, disorientation, seizures, and mental health changes, manageable through medication.
Chloe firmly believes that Mia’s illness, coupled with inadequate treatment, led to her demise. She voiced concerns about the lack of attention to her worries by staff at The Becton Centre during Mia’s stay.
Dr. Jeff Perring, Executive Medical Director at SCFT, expressed condolences to Mia’s family and highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance care practices following Mia’s death. Nottingham University Hospitals, managing QMC, chose not to comment on the matter when approached.
For emotional support, The Samaritans hotline is available 24/7 at 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org. Website resources are also accessible for those in need.