“I want justice to be done for my daughter’s death”

A Staffordshire mother whose “sweet, caring” daughter took her own life just months after being released from a mental hospital said she was praying a public inquiry would bring about change.

To On Monday, Baroness Lampard begins to investigate the deaths of people receiving inpatient mental health treatment in Essex between 2000 and 2023.

The investigation is looking into the deaths of nearly 2,000 patients, including mother of four Marion Turner, who was found dead in January 2013.

Mother Martha Gaskell from Stoke-on-Trent said: “I would like to see accountability for the failings.”

An inquest into Ms Turner's death found that she took her own life at home despite suffering from mental illness.

The 40-year-old was released from The Lakes psychiatric clinic in Colchester in October 2012.

Following Ms Turner's death, Essex's then Chief Coroner, Caroline Beasley-Murray, said she was concerned that there was a risk of further deaths if no action was taken.

Mrs Gaskell, 68, said she “begged” for her daughter to be taken to hospital before she died.

Ahead of the inquiry, Ms Gaskell expressed her hope that this would mean that “no one else who has to go through the mental health care system will be left behind”.

The mother, who now works as a counselor, said she plans to give evidence, which she described as “nerve-wracking.”

She explained that her daughter had always struggled with mental health issues.

“She was a very loving, caring person,” she said. “A very good mother, she loved her children more than anything.”

“I just hope and pray that we get the answers we need and that something changes, because that is so desperately needed.”

Paul Scott, chief executive of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), said: “We know how painful this time will be for those who have lost loved ones and our thoughts are with them.

“We will continue to do everything in our power to support Baroness Lampard and her team in finding the answers that patients, families and carers are seeking.”

The investigation is due to take place in Chelmsford.