A MENTAL health patient took his own life while waiting for a hospital bed. Martin Bryant, 43, who had been suffering from Acute Polymorphic Psychotic Disorder, died on January 19, 2025, about two hours after being deemed ‘not at risk’ after presenting to the Mental Health Urgent Care Department of Basildon Hospital.
Mr Bryant arrived at the hospital at around 5.30am and was triaged and assessed by mental health nurses who recommended that he be informally admitted for treatment. Whilst approval for bed was being arranged, Mr Bryant was asked to wait in reception, despite his partner raising concerns that he would not stay.
Whilst waiting, he asked staff if he could leave to vape and go to the shop. The nurses had felt reassured that he was willing to be admitted and wanted to get better.
He was not seen as a risk and was free to leave the reception area and return. He last left the hospital at around 10.35am. However, he did not return and efforts to locate him were unsuccessful.
He was found dead next to the nearby multi-storey car park at 12.50pm. A review of CCTV footage showed Mr Bryant fell.
Around a month previously, Mr Bryant had changed his medication, but this led to worsening psychosis. On January 15, 2025, Mr Bryant agreed to revert to his original medication.
Essex coroner, Rebecca Mundy, said there are ‘concerns around the reliance’ by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust assuming that those suffering a mental health crisis will wait in the MHUCD’s open reception area, from which they are free to come and go.
Paul Scott, Chief Executive of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I would like to share my condolences with Martin’s family and friends and to say how sorry I am for their loss. The Coroner raises a number of important issues and we will carefully consider these and respond.”
