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14-year-old girl dies in psychiatric hospital due to negligence

An inquest found that Ruth Szymankiewicz died after being left unattended by a support worker.

August 4, 2025 at 01:46 PM
blur Girl, 14, died at psychiatric hospital after agency worker with false ID left her alone, inquest hears

The inquest reveals failures in care that cost Ruth Szymankiewicz her life.

Agency worker left 14-year-old girl alone at psychiatric hospital leading to her death

An inquest revealed that Ruth Szymankiewicz, a 14-year-old girl, died after an agency support worker left her unattended at Huntercombe hospital, contrary to protocols requiring constant observation. The worker, whose identity was falsely represented, fled the UK for Ghana upon learning of Ruth's death. Her parents had expressed earlier concerns about her placement far from home and the safety of keeping her in a secure setting. Ruth's struggle included anorexia and self-harm, and despite some initial progress, care failures led to a tragic outcome.

Key Takeaways

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Ruth Szymankiewicz was left alone despite needing constant supervision.
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The agency worker used a false identity to gain employment.
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Concerns from Ruth's parents about her placement went unaddressed.
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The worker fled the UK after Ruth’s death, complicating accountability.
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Huntercombe hospital had prior unfavorable reviews from the Care Quality Commission.
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The tragedy reflects larger issues in mental health care and staffing practices.

"He let Ruth down. He let everyone down."

The coroner reflects on the responsibility of the support worker in Ruth's death.

"Her death has shattered our family."

Ruth's mother expresses the profound impact of her daughter’s tragic death.

This case highlights severe failures within the mental health care system, particularly in the recruitment and training of agency staff. Ruth's tragic death underlines the need for better oversight and accountability in psychiatric facilities. Parents' concerns underscore the impact of distance from home on young patients' well-being. As systemic issues are revealed, the focus must shift towards ensuring that care standards are prioritized and maintained to prevent similar tragedies.

Highlights

  • No one should suffer a tragedy like Ruth did.
  • The system failed Ruth when she needed help the most.
  • Ruth's death reveals critical flaws in mental health care.
  • This case raises alarms about patient safety standards in hospitals.

Concerns over psychiatric care standards

The circumstances surrounding Ruth's death reveal serious lapses in oversight and care standards in psychiatric facilities, raising significant concerns about safety and staff accountability.

The inquest continues, shedding light on critical flaws in psychiatric care.

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