A grieving husband has slammed the hospital who granted his wife with post-natal psychosis ‘one hour of unsupervised leave’ after she took her own life.
Abigail Menoret, from Maidenhead, had been suffering from the debilitating illness following the birth of her second son in January 2022.
The 34-year-old was hospitalised under the Mental Health Act having struggled with postnatal depression after both her previous pregnancies.
But in September 2023, after the hospital granted her unescorted leave she pre-booked a taxi to take her home — when she knew her husband and children would be away — and took her own life.
Now, following an inquest into her death, her husband François-Marie Menoret said he was ‘let down’ by staff treating her arguing he ‘trusted’ them ‘to monitor her closely’.
Abigail Menoret, from Maidenhead, had been suffering from the debilitating illness following the birth of her second son in January 2022. The 34-year-old was hospitalised under the Mental Health Act having struggled with postnatal depression after both her previous pregnancies
Mr Menoret, who was represented by Leigh Day, told the inquest that Prospect Park Hospital in Reading (pictured) had allowed his wife increasing periods of unescorted leave
The jury heard evidence of multiple failings in communication between the trust and Mrs Menoret’s family — including the difficulties posed by her illness, which often made her appear outwardly well, even when she was not.
Mr Menoret, said: ‘I feel let down by the clinicians who were responsible for Abi’s care.
‘The lack of consistency meant that it was difficult to form relationships with staff and every time there was a change, it felt like we were starting all over again.
‘Each consultant had different views about what was best for Abi and what type and dose of medication she should be on.
‘Ultimately, the major issue was the failure to consider my very real concern that Abi would try and take her own life while I was away in France with our sons.
‘I trusted those looking after her to monitor her closely, and to find out that her leave allowance and therefore her freedom to go outside the hospital on her own had in fact increased during this time was a huge shock to me.
‘I am devastated by the loss of my beautiful wife, who was a loving and devoted mother to our two sons.’
Mr Menoret, who was represented by Leigh Day, told the inquest that Prospect Park Hospital in Reading had allowed his wife increasing periods of unescorted leave.
This was despite her persistent delusions, risk of self-harm and the recognised ongoing risk of suicide.
On the day of her death, Mrs Menoret had been permitted a one-hour period of unsupervised leave — a rise on the time she had previously been authorised.
Concerns had already been flagged about the fact her husband and children were away visiting family in France.
The inquest also heard there was a lack of continuity in her care, with frequent changes in consultants, regular alterations to her medication and inconsistent involvement of the family in key decisions.
Equally, Mr Menoret and the police were not contacted within thirty minutes after she failed to return from her hour’s leave — a trust guideline.
Clinical negligence solicitor Frankie Rhodes at Leigh Day said: ‘It is tragic that Abi died so prematurely, leaving behind her much-treasured young sons.
‘The trust’s own Serious Incident report which was carried out as part of the investigation highlighted that there is a lack of documented evidence to show that changes in leave arrangements were discussed and considered more widely during multi-disciplinary team meetings and with Abi’s husband.
‘There were failures in filling out leave forms and there were gaps in the sign in/out record when leave took place.
‘Risks regarding holiday were also not clearly documented as part of risk assessment for patients.
‘In light of these failings, I am disappointed by the coroner’s decision not to allow the family’s representative to raise questions with the trust on the central issue of what has been implemented already and what is going to be changed to ensure something like this does not happen again.
‘As a result, I am concerned about the absence of a clear record of what the trust is going to do in future to minimise human error in the management of its processes to avoid tragic outcomes like the one suffered by our client.’
Mrs Menoret’s family described her as a ‘remarkable woman, mother, wife, daughter and friend.’
Postpartum Psychosis affects roughly one in 1,000 women every year.
It is different from the ‘baby blues’, which many mothers experience while they struggle to cope with the stress and hormonal changes that come with having children.
It is also different from postnatal depression, which affects one in 10 women to some extent.
This can cause feelings of helplessness, as well as a loss of interest in the baby and crying frequently.
Postpartum Psychosis symptoms usually start within the first two weeks.
Common signs include manic moods, feeling paranoid or afraid, acting out of character, confusion and restlessness.
Little is known about exactly how or what triggers the illness and so far little evidence to suggest it can be linked to a traumatic birth.
Antidepressants may be prescribed to ease symptoms, as well as anti-psychotics and mood stabilisers, like lithium, according to the NHS.
Psychological therapy, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), may help patients manage how they think and act.
In rare cases, electroconvulsive therapy can help with severe depression or mania.
Most women with PP make a full recovery if treated correctly.
