Medical negligence experts warn of families left struggling for answers as inquest delays grow

Attwaters Solicitors are calling for action as inquest delays leave bereaved families without support after suicide in mental health care.

The firm has recently supported several families, guiding them through the inquest process and, where appropriate, onward to medical negligence claims.

Data shows that suicide among people in contact with mental health services remains high.

According to the Nuffield Trust, between 2010 and 2021, more than a quarter of all suicides in England involved people who had recently used mental health services.

While there are UK charities that offer inquest services, demand exceeds the support they can provide adequately.

Families have told the team at Attwaters that they face inquest backlogs stretching for months. These delays cause ongoing distress, postpone closure and can allow important evidence to fade.

Without specialist representation, some families struggle to challenge what happened or understand the decisions being made.

Joanne Westbrook, Head of Medical Negligence at Attwaters said, “We meet many parents and partners who have been waiting months with no clarity. They tell us they feel they have to push for every update. It should not be this hard for people trying to understand how their loved one was treated.

“Families deserve to be heard and supported. They want answers behind what happened and reassurance that lessons have been learned so other families will not have to face the same tragedies.

“Our role is to make sure they have someone in their corner who understands the process and can speak on their behalf when needed.”

Unlike inquest advice charities, Attwaters provides a complete inquest service from early preparation to applying findings in a negligence claim.

This approach helps prevent families from falling through the gaps created by stretched services.

Joanne said, “We believe families should not feel they must choose between getting answers and getting support.

“Our role is to listen, find out what happened and why, explain it clearly and act on the results if there are grounds to do so. For some families, the inquest leads nowhere, but for others it is the start of a real push for change.”

The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey found that 25.2 per cent of adults have experienced suicidal thoughts during their lifetime and 7.8 per cent have attempted suicide.

The death of Alice Figueiredo remains a prime example of the consequences when risks are not recognised or recorded.

Alice was 22 when she took her own life under the care of Goodmayes Hospital. She had harmed herself many times during her admission, yet key incidents were missed or not shared with those who needed to know.

“Alice’s parents spent nearly ten years fighting for answers. Their experience shows how long families can be left to pursue the truth on their own and how difficult it can be to hold services to account,” said Joanne.

The number of mental health and psychiatric negligence claims settled by the NHS rose by 73 per cent between April 2017 and March 2025.

Attwaters is calling for greater support for families going through the inquest process and for continued attention on the impact of stretched mental health services.

The firm continues to assist families who have experienced the loss of a loved one while under the care of NHS mental health teams and encourages anyone with questions to seek early advice.

For inquest support or for assistance making a medical negligence claim, contact enquiries@attwaters.co.uk