Family question late teen's care

DOMINIC TRAVIS . . . family unhappy about his care

THE family of a teenager who died just days after being discharged from hospital have hit out at mental health bosses for the care he received.

Dominic Travis (18) died in May, 2015, after being found collapsed at the foot of a disused mill in Oldham.

The vulnerable youngster, who had a history of mental health and substance misuse issues, was a patient of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.

A seven-day inquest heard family members fight for answers from health bosses. They questioned why Dominic had been discharged from a mental health ward shortly before he fell to his death.

But a jury concluded that Dominic - a bright, caring but troubled teenager - had received adequate support and care in the days leading up to his death at an inquest on Tuesday.

And area coroner Lisa Hashmi issued a stark warning about the dangerous use of so-called "legal highs".

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation in charge of Dominic's mental health care, said it will launch a second investigation into the youngster's death.

But the jury's decision has been met with disappointment from Dominic's relatives - who believe more could have been done to prevent his death.

In a joint statement released after the inquest, his family said: "We are disappointed with the jury's conclusions that no concerns have been raised around Dominic's discharge from hospital and the care he received in the final four days of his life.

"We remain of the belief that Pennine Care have a number of questions to answer regarding Dominic's discharge from Southside ward on Wednesday 13 May, his presentation at A&E on Friday 15 May and the events leading up to him being found at the mill site on Sunday 17 May."

The inquest in Heywood heard how the teenager had been classed as a 'child in need' since 2013 and had been living in supported accommodation in Oldham run by youth homeless charity, Depaul UK.

Dominic, who had Asperger's Syndrome, was put under voluntary section on an adult mental health ward at the Royal Oldham Hospital in April 2015. To the surprise of Depaul support workers, the youngster ended up discharged from hospital on May 13 and sent back to his supported accommodation at Porter Street.

On Sunday May 17, staff called for an ambulance after finding Dominic 'walking backwards' and empty packets of legal highs in his flat.

Later that evening Dominic was found with fatal injuries at the foot of Hartford Mill in Oldham. He died the next day in Salford Royal from traumatic brain injuries.

In statement read out in court, jury members said Dominic's decision-making process had been impaired after taking so-called "legal highs".

The jury's conclusion was followed with a warning from the coroner about the 'dangerous' use of illegal and "legal" drugs.

Ms Hashmi said: "There is a very strong public health message to be conveyed arising from the very sad circumstances of this young man's death."