26 April 2019

Before Assistant Coroner for Central Hampshire

Winchester Coroner’s Court

Coroner’s Office, Castle Hill, The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UL

 Begins Monday 29 April 2019, 10am
Expected to last up to 4 weeks

Sasha Forster died aged 20 on 31 March 2017. She had been detained under the Mental Health Act and died after taking an overdose whilst on leave from a mental health hospital run by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The full inquest into her death begins on Monday 29 April 2019.

Sasha was from Fleet, Hampshire, and is described by her parents as a lovely, intelligent young woman who had a passion for life, was full of fun and who, despite her own problems, placed enormous importance on supporting and caring for her friends and family. Sasha’s diagnoses included Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Sasha had a history of self-harm.

Sasha took a serious overdose on 10 January 2017 which resulted in 35 minutes of cardiac arrest and four days on life support. She was detained under the Mental Health Act shortly after coming off life support and transferred to Farnham Road Hospital in Guildford, Surrey.

On 31 March 2017 Sasha took an overdose whilst on leave from Farnham Road Hospital. That evening Sasha was located unconscious by police officers; she was taken to Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley, but pronounced dead shortly after her arrival.

It is hoped that the inquest into Sasha’s death will explore the care, treatment and supervision arrangements in place to manage Sasha’s mental health needs and risk of suicide following her overdose in January 2017, as well as the response to the events of 31 March 2017.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information and to note your interest, please contact Lucy McKay on 020 7263 1111 or email.

INQUEST has been working with the family of Sasha Forster since May 2017.  The family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members, Catherine Shannon from Bhatt Murphy Solicitors and Sophy Miles from Doughty Street Chambers.

As well as the family, other interested persons represented at the inquest are Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire Constabulary, Surrey Police, Dr Deirdre Sills and Dr Stuti Hooda.