30 April 2021

Before HM Senior Coroner for East London, Nadia Persaud
To be heard at Barking and Dagenham Town Hall
4-13 May 2021

Neil Challinor-Mooney, 51, died on 18 November 2018 after being found unconscious in his room at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford two days prior. Neil had been detained under the Mental Health Act, since 1 November 2018, after a significant deterioration of his mental health, and had been under the care of the community mental health team of North East London NHS Foundation Trust. 

Born in Wales, he lived in Romford. Neil was well known to mental health services. Everybody who knew Neil knew of his big heart, his kindness and selflessness. Neil’s family were everything to him; he loved spending time with his nieces and nephews. Being the eldest of six children, Neil always looked out for his five siblings.

In the months leading up to his death, there were frequent changes to Neil’s care. In October 2018, one month before his death, Neil was admitted to King George’s Hospital for treatment for his Diabetes. Neil’s family are concerned that the mismanagement of his mental health during this admission, coupled with their concerns in relation to Neil’s care in the community, caused a significant and rapid decline in his mental health, which resulted in his admission to Goodmayes Hospital.  

Neil’s family hopes the inquest will consider policies on the removal of ligatures for all patients detained under the Mental Health Act. 

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information and to note your interest please contact Lucy McKay on [email protected] or 020 7263 1111

The inquest is being heard at Barking and Dagenham Town Hall, Town Hall Square, 1 Clockhouse Avenue, Barking IG11 7LU. Remote access is available on request via the coroner’s office.

The family is represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Tara Mulcair and Marte Lund of Birnberg Peirce and Tom Stoate of Doughty Street Chambers. They are supported by INQUEST Caseworker Nancy Kelehar.

Other interested persons represented at the inquest are North and East London NHS Foundation Trust (who manage Goodmayes Hospital and the Community Mental Health Team); Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Foundation Trust, Riverside (accommodation provider) and the Care Quality Commission.