ADJOURNED

28 June 2024

Before HM Senior Coroner Penelope Schofield
Horsham Coroner’s Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1XH
Opened Monday 1 July 2024 

Matty Sheldrick, a 29 year old autistic person, died on 22 November 2022 after ligaturing outside the Royal Sussex County Hospital. They had left A&E less than two hours before. Now an inquest will open to examine the circumstances of their death.

Matty moved to Hove with their rescue dog Lola in 2021. Kind, bright and creative, Matty was studying Social Sciences with the Open University, played guitar, performed spoken word, and was a commissioned artist. 

Matty was autistic and had ADHD. Matty had a history of mental ill-health and self-harm. 

On 5 September 2022, Matty was admitted to A&E at Royal Sussex Hospital following suicidal ideation. They were later moved to the Short Stay ward while awaiting an inpatient mental health bed. 

During their time on the Short Stay Ward, Matty continued to self-harm and to experience suicidal ideation. Matty was discharged from the Short Stay Ward on 30 September into the care of the community Crisis team. Matty was not able to access a mental health bed or therapeutic input while hospitalised.

Following their discharge, Matty’s mental health continued to deteriorate.

On 2 November, Matty called the Mental Health Rapid Response service after ligaturing and while feeling suicidal. Matty was taken to A&E and eventually admitted to the Short Stay Ward. 

Over the next two days, Matty attempted to ligature in the hospital multiple times.

Following an assessment under the Mental Health Act on 4 November, Matty was told they could leave hospital if they wished. Matty left the A&E department shortly after 9pm. 

At around 10.45pm, Matty ligatured outside the hospital. They were admitted to the intensive care unit just after 11pm and died 17 days later.

The inquest will now consider the care and treatment received by Matty in the lead-up to their death in both hospitals and the community. In particular, the inquest will investigate:

• Matty’s mental health background
• The care and support provided by Brighton and Hove City Council between February 2022 to the time of Matty’s death
• The events that led to Matty’s admission on 5 September 2022
• The care and treatment provided to Matty during their hospital admission 5 September 2022 – 30 September 2022.
• The care and treatment provided to Matty by the Crisis Resolution Mental Health team and the Home Treatment team following their discharge from hospital on 30 September 2022 to their readmission on 3 November 2022
• The events that led to their admission on 3 November 2022
• The care and treatment provided to Matty from 3 November 2022 until Matty was found hanging on 4 November 2022.
• The care and treatment on the intensive care unit until the time of Matty’s death of 22 November 2022.
• The medical cause of Matty’s death.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information, interview requests and to note your interest, please contact Leila Hagmann on [email protected].

The family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members William Kenyon and Gabrielle Law of ITN Solicitors and Isabel Bertschinger of One Pump Court. They are supported by INQUEST senior caseworker, Selen Cavcav.      

The family are also supported by The Clare Project, a community-led charity providing support for trans, non-binary and intersex adults. Matty received support from The Clare Project during their time in Brighton. They commissioned artwork for the organisation and was a much-loved service user. They are being represented by Sophie Walker of One Pump Court, with support from Good Law Practice.

Other Interested persons represented are Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton & Hove City Council Adult Social Care, GP Practice WellBN, University Hospital Trust and The Clare Project.

Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests.