No More Daves: EADT: David Martin’s inquest begins in Ipswich – amid reports from BBC Panorama of 50% increase in ‘unexpected’ mental health deaths

Andrew Hirst of the East Anglian Daily Times reports:

The family of an mentally-ill man who died amid filth and squalor in Ipswich are hoping for answers at this week’s long-awaited inquest.

David Martin was discovered dead in his Ipswich flat on September 11, 2014 – four days after his 52nd birthday. Pneumonia was listed as the cause of death.

He had been receiving care from the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), having been diagnosed with complex mental health issues, including bipolar manic depression, schizo-affective disorder and schizophrenia, which he had lived with since his early adult years. He also suffered from a number of physical disabilities affecting his stomach and mobility.

His brother, Steve Martin, has previously criticised changes to the care offered, prior to his death, which he said arose from budget cuts.

The funding for David’s flat to be cleaned, previously paid for by Suffolk County Council, was also cut.

A five-day inquest into David Martin’s death begins at the Ipswich Coroner’s Court this morning, led by Suffolk coroner Peter Dean.

The inquest has been repeatedly delayed by NSFT which is employing an expensive barrister to defend the indefensible.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Steve Martin has been waiting for more than two years thanks to NSFT’s time-wasting.

It comes on the day of BBC’s Panorama programme, which will report on a 50% rise in the number of unexpected deaths at England’s mental health trusts in the past three years.

Don’t forget to watch Panorama at 8.30 p.m. on BBC One tonight.

Read the EADT’s report in full by clicking on the image below. Even better, support expensive investigative journalism, which is so crucial to our campaign, by buying a copy of the newspaper.

1 thought on “No More Daves: EADT: David Martin’s inquest begins in Ipswich – amid reports from BBC Panorama of 50% increase in ‘unexpected’ mental health deaths”

  1. My daughter’s father died last year in similar circumstances. Neglected to his death death by pinball care politics. There’s only so much family can do when specialist care is required and no longer on offer.

    We will never get over his loss.

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