Chester father laments failures in services which contributed to daughter's tragic death

Michelle Jennings, 35, grew up in Chester and was employed at a number of businesses in the city, making many friends, while also getting involved in charity work, and had six brothers and sisters – John, Becci, Kim, Pamela, Gina, and Alex.

But tragically, Michelle, a former pupil of St Theresa RC infant school in Blacon, Upton Westlea Primary School and Catholic High School, had been battling with her mental health.

Michelle Jennings.

A three-day inquest into her death, recently held at Manchester South Coroner's Court, concluded that Michelle took her own life at a site on October 3, 2020.

After hearing all the evidence, coroner Alison Mutch found there were failings by both British Transport Police and Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust which, "on the balance of probabilities", contributed to the deterioration in Michelle's mental health and her subsequent death.

Her father John Jennings believes Michelle, who had numerous jobs at the VW garage, the George & Dragon and the Queen Hotel, and B&M where she made many friends, could have been helped with her mental health, but she was let down by professionals and said he had been led to believe Michelle was attention seeking.

Michelle Jennings.

The inquest found Michelle had a history of contact with mental health services and a history of suicidal ideation to a number of agencies, but at the time of being assessed as suitable for therapy, there was a two-year waiting list.

The inquest also found Michelle had a number of incidents with British Transport Police between April 2019 and May 2020, where she had indicated suicidal thoughts.

On the last of those occasions, British Transport Police prosecuted her for obstructing the railways. After Michelle did not turn up to a court hearing in July, Michelle was arrested and held in custody, before being listed to appear the following day. She was fined £200.

John said in a statement: "I just cannot imagine how that must've made her feel. She was so ill but was treated like a criminal, locked up for the night in Chester Police Station till her court appearance the next day."

Michelle Jennings.

Ms Mutch said there was little, if any, evidence of the public interest being applied, to balance the disruption to the railway (it was calculated the May 8 incident caused 36 minutes of delays, costing Network Rail £573.66), with a person in crisis/who is vulnerable.

Following the inquest, British Transport Police carried out a review into the case and the subsequent report – a copy of which has been seen by The Standard – has made a series of recommendations which are being carried out.

Among those was a launch of a 'Mental Health and the Railway' awareness raising campaign, to be delivered to all BTP staff, which would include a flow chart of decision making when considering the most appropriate course of action for persons found trespassing on the railway and when their mental health is of concern.

The review also recommended an urgent review of all active trespass investigations where the mental health of the trespasser was identified as a concern, and for an urgent review of all cases involving suspects believed to have mental health issues , and ensuring they have the required assessments on the files.

The Standard has approached British Transport Police for comment.

Michelle Jennings.

The inquest also heard that "poor communication" between two mental health teams at CWP had led to Michelle being referred first to the Primary Care Mental Health Team, then to the Community Mental Health Team as her needs were deemed too complex. One day after the further referral was made on September 16, Michelle was discharged from the PCMHT caseload.

But the CMHT MDT rejected the referral on September 23, and her case was to be referred back to the PCMHT. At that point, Michelle was no longer on the caseload of either mental health team, despite what the inquest heard was evidence of Michelle's "complexity" of her needs and "her deteriorating mental health", and her feeling "rejected" by mental health services.

A letter sent by CWP's head of clinical services to Mr Jennings in advance of the inquest, seen by The Standard, offered "sincerest apologies for the failings identified in the investigation", with the review finding a risk management plan had not been developed with Michelle, and safeguarding concerns were not addressed and appropriately escalated.

Gary Flockhart, director of nursing, therapies and patient partnership at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, (CWP) told The Standard: “Our deepest condolences and our continued thoughts remain with Michelle’s family.

"Following Michelle’s tragic death, the Trust commenced an in-depth investigation from which the findings have been shared and action has been taken to address all concerns raised. We will continue to work alongside partners to ensure multi-agency learning is put into practice.”

The funeral of Michelle Jennings was held on October 30, 2020, which included a horse-drawn procession through Chester city centre.

John said, in a statement to the inquest: "I still don't believe Michelle did this to herself and I struggle every day to think I will never see her beautiful face again, or kiss and hug her when meeting and saying goodbye.

"The one thing I would like to come from this is for the professionals to learn from my daughter Michelle's suicide, is that she really did mean what she said with her threats, she was really ill and looking for help.

"If she had got the help she deserved, she may still be here today, with me on top of a mountain, running, doing what she loved."

John added he was grateful for the support that Michelle did receive, such as her social worker Yvonne McHugh, who John described as "amazing", the Spider Project at Café 71 in St Anne Street, Chester, and Christ Church in Newtown. Sadly, the latter two had restricted availability during Covid lockdowns.

• Anyone with mental health issues can contact MIND's infoline on 0300 123 3393, email info@mind.org.uk or text 86463 anytime between 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, contact Samaritans at any time. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone) or email jo@samaritans.org.