14th November 2014

At the Council House, Old Market Square , Nottingham, NG1 2DT before Nottingham Assistant Coroner Stephanie Haskey from 17 November 2014 at 10 am until 28 November  2014

Rebecca Louise Overy was 18 years old when she was found unresponsive with a ligature in her room at Annesley House – an adult secure unit.  She was a sectioned patient at the time of her death  and was allegedly on 5 minute observations due to the fact that she was deemed a suicide risk. Rebecca had a long history of self harm and involvement with mental health services and was transferred to Annesley House,  one day after her 18th birthday.    After her death it became apparent that during the first six weeks of her admission she had approximately 40 incidents of self harm.

Rebecca’s mother and step father hope that the inquest will address issues around Rebecca’s transition to adult services and whether more measures could have been put in place to safeguard her. They also want to find out about the quality of care she received at Annesley House and the adequacy of her observations on the night she was found.

Rebecca’s mum Kathryn Wilson said:

“ Rebecca’s death has destroyed our lives. She was only 18 at the brink of being a woman and had all her life ahead of her.  She was in a place where she should have been cared for.  The world is a much sadder place for us without her”

Deborah Coles, co-director of INQUEST said:

“This is a very disturbing death of a highly vulnerable young woman held in secure detention to keep her safe. This inquest must ensure far reaching scrutiny in particular the transition from adolescent to adult services, only a day after she turned 18 “

INQUEST has been working with the mother and step father  of  Rebecca Louise Overy  since her death in June 2013. They  are  represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group member Gemma Vine from Lester Morrill Solicitors and Ian Goldsack from St Johns Buildings. 

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