LIVING quarters for patients at an East Lancashire mental-health facility have been overhauled in the wake of the death of a 39-year-old, an inquest heard. Jonathan Davies, who had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act at Kemple View, in Langho, was found hanged from an overhead locker on Hawthorn Ward, in September 2013, Clitheroe Coroner’s Court was told.

Bosses at Partnerships In Care have confirmed that the lockers, which came with bracket supports, have now been removed within rooms at the mental-health unit.

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An inquest jury returned a narrative verdict, explaining how they agreed that Mr Davies had hanged himself and that he had a clear intention to bring about the end of his life. And jurors pinpointed that the overhead bracket was “an obvious risk” which had not been properly managed in the run-up to Mr Davies’ death. Blackburn coroner Michael Singleton was told that a number of revisions had been made to the unit’s risk-assessment process in the wake of the hanging.

Mr Davies, who had spoken of his feeling of “misery and hopelessness” in the lead-up to his death, had not been down for breakfast or lunch and an inquiry was made when he failed to show up for dinner.

Health worker Paul Bancroft went to check on the patient and, when he could not see him lying on his bed from the door, entered the room to find Mr Davies hanging from an overhead locker, the inquest heard.

An effort was made at resuscitation and paramedics were alerted but Mr Davies, who was originally from Manchester, later died from his injuries.

After the hearing, a Partnerships In Care spokesman said: “All staff at Kemple View were deeply saddened by the death of Jonathan Davies at Royal Blackburn Hospital on September 18, 2013.

“The inquest found that Mr Davies died as a result of his suspending himself within his room on September 15, 2013. We extend our sympathy to Mr Davies’ family and friends.

“We place the utmost importance on patient safety. We have taken further steps to reinforce environmental risk assessment and security at Kemple View. Among steps we have taken is that patient rooms are visited and lockers are checked regularly throughout every day.”

Mr Davies’ mother Diana Davies said she had shared a tearful conversation with her son on the night before his death. In it he was distressed about his circumstances.

Mental-health nurse Joanne Cruise said there had been concerns regarding Mr Davies “not engaging” with medical staff and becoming isolated. There were discussions regarding increasing his levels of observation but it was felt this would make him “more depressed”.