Woman found dead in River Humber had claimed she was refused hospital treatment
A WOMAN whose body was found in the River Humber had claimed she had been refused hospital treatment and called a "waste of space" by a staff member, an inquest heard.
Alcoholic Sharon Smith, 49, of Endike Lane, north Hull, had been missing for six weeks when her body was found on April 4.
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ACCUSATIONS IN LETTER: Sharon Smith.
An inquest heard that two days before she was last seen on February 18, she was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary after collapsing outside St Stephen's shopping centre.
Miss Smith, who lived with her mother Vera, had taken 36 paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets and drunk half a litre of whisky before telling doctors she intended to kill herself.
When she was assessed by two mental health nurses, Miss Smith was "positive and cooperative" until she was told staff had decided she would not be admitted for inpatient detoxification.
Mental health nurse Luciana Bell told the hearing: "Once she was informed this would not proceed, her presentation changed dramatically.
"She became uncooperative and immediately and dramatically pulled the cannula from her arm."
However, senior staff nurse Sophie James said Miss Smith had expressed no desire to stay in hospital and had been asking when she could leave.
She later discharged herself.
In a letter sent to her mother days after her disappearance, Miss Smith claimed a staff member at the hospital had called her a "waste of space" as she was leaving.
Her mother, 71, told the hearing: "I think it is absolutely disgusting she was not admitted.
"She came in wanting help and she was turned away."
A pathologist was unable to find a definite cause of death.
Coroner Geoffrey Saul recorded an open verdict, saying he was unable to be say with certainty that Miss Smith intended to take her own life.
Mrs Smith was told hospital staff would investigate the allegations if she put her concerns in writing.
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by Tipped, over the edge
Thursday, July 29 2010, 5:46PM
“she was assessed by two mental health nurses
she was fortunate to have been seen at all - sometimes the so called 'crisis team' dont even see you, A&E have to send you home and tell you to go and see your GP or AA
people with illnesses (physical or mental) need help, no matter what the crisis”
by Phil Mitchell, Queen Vic, Walford
Thursday, July 29 2010, 5:16PM
“Nothing wrong with a good drink!! I LOVE IT”
by Kieron, The community
Thursday, July 29 2010, 3:54PM
“Well said Red Dog.”
by Red Dog, Hull w/side
Thursday, July 29 2010, 3:45PM
“They should never have closed the Burkhill Unit situated in the grounds of the then Delapole Hospital, Some Thicko came up with the idea that you could be detoxed at home, Utter Rubbish! because you have to be taken away from the enviroment ie the city or town where you live that are full of places that you can get your hands on alcohol, I know because i have been there, 1989 was admitted to 'Burkhill' had group therapy every afternoon,Stayed there for three weeks then went nearly everyday for the next five years,especially if i felt like i was in danger of slipping, for group therapy,I had my first slip after five years,Went back for more therapy, Still sober 'Not cured' You never are, Detoxing is the easy part,But it takes a long time 'With The Help of Group Therapy' to get it out of your head, 'I Don't Think Drink Anymore' But most of my mates who i went to sea with are now dead because they could not face life without 'Alcohol'.”
by AA, Sutton
Thursday, July 29 2010, 10:47AM
“As somebody who fought Alcoholism from the age of 20 even though I'd never been a heavy drinker and played a high level of football and rugby league, I'm afraid it's about time more was done to recognise that it is a horrible disease. Nobody asks to be and feel like that. I myself when once asking for treatment at Hull Royal was treated with distain by a female doctor. Luckily I have a fantastic support network of my familly, GP and most of all AA. I have been sober for 3 years now [with only 1 slip] and have never felt better but I needed expensive treatment in the Priory to even know about AA and the fantastic work it does. I used too be ashamed as that is how you are made to feel but I am now training to be a lawyer and am having to leave my well paid job because of the stigma I have attached even though I am fantastic at it. I meet people from all walks of life, some who were millionaires who ended up on park benches. Don't tell me people intentionally do it. It angers me and Ignorance is no excuse.”