12 November 2021

Before HM Senior Coroner Mr Alan Wilson
Blackpool and Fylde Coroner’s Court

15- 24 November 2021

An inquest into the death of a son and mother, who had both been under the care of Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust mental health services in Blackpool, will open on Monday 15 November. They died self-inflicted deaths just one month apart. Their family have serious questions about the care and support they received.

Marshall Metcalfe was 17 when he died on 7 May 2020. He was pronounced dead at Royal Preston Hospital after falling from a car park in Blackpool. His mother Jane Ireland, 44, died on 7 June 2020.

Marshall’s family say he loved football and supported Burnley FC. He also enjoyed fishing and gaming. He was a fierce and loyal friend. They are heartbroken that they will never see him grow up and fulfil his dreams. Since October 2017, Marshall had been under the care of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) run by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and prescribed antipsychotic medication.

Marshall had twice been a sectioned inpatient in a children’s mental health unit, The Cove in Heysham, most recently in January 2020, four months before his death. At the time of his death, he was under the care of the local Early Intervention Service. A review of his care was scheduled in March 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic and not rescheduled.

Marshall’s mother Jane Ireland was a mum of three. Her family describe her as a fun and loving person who brightened every room she walked in to. She was a talented makeup artist and worked in theatre productions and photoshoots. She was also a qualified Reiki therapist and dreamed of opening her own retreat.

Jane developed mental ill health in the ten-year period prior to her death, following serious violence from an ex-partner. Her daughter Holly fought for months to get her help to access services. In 2017 she was sectioned. She was discharged six months later into the care of the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust community mental health team. She remained under their care until she was discharged from their services in December 2019, six months before her death.

Despite being aware of her vulnerability and her son’s death, the community mental health team made no contact with Jane in the weeks before her death. Her daughter Holly repeatedly attempted to inform them of Jane’s deteriorating mental health and seek support, but there was no response.

The family hope the inquest will identify any shortcomings in the care they both received, including both inpatient and community care. They have serious questions about the impact of antipsychotic medication, and the links and communication between social services, care coordinators, and the mental health services.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information and interview requests please contact Lucy McKay on 020 7263 1111 or [email protected]

The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Lucie Boase of Broudie Jackson Canter solicitors, and Ciara Bartlam and Mira Hammad of Garden Court North Chambers.

The other interested persons represented are Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust and Lancashire Council.

Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.