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46-year-old King's Lynn woman's inquest highlights 'admin issue' within mental health service




A woman with a history of mental health issues took her own life after an "administrative error" meant a professional team didn't visit her in the weeks leading before her death.

But a coroner yesterday told an inquest he didn't believe that was a factor in the death of Sharon Michelle Barwick.

Ms Barwick, 46, died at Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital on June 1 last year, having been found unconscious at her home in Gaywood three days earlier.

The Norfolk Coroner's Court at County Hall, Norwich (54423601)
The Norfolk Coroner's Court at County Hall, Norwich (54423601)

The hearing at the Norfolk Coroner's Court in Norwich was told that she had been with the NHS crisis team at Chatterton House in Lynn and the Community Wellbeing Service.

The latter was scheduled to keep contact with Ms Barwick in the three weeks leading to her death but, due to an "administrative error", the planned visits did not occur.

However, assistant coroner Simon Milburn said she was seen by other professionals and knew how to contact her GP.

He said: "The admin error is being dealth with internally, and while I'm grateful it has been highlighted I do not feel this contributed to Ms Barwick's death."

Recording a conclusion that Ms Barwick had taken her own life, he said she had "a long history of mental health issues" and her action was "deliberate".

He offered condolences to members of Ms Barwick's family.

If you have been affected by the issues in this article or are feeling low, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123 24/7.



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