A mother is devastated after her 12-year-old daughter tragically took her own life while receiving care at a specialized children’s mental health facility in Sheffield. Mia Lucas, described as cheerful and lively, passed away in January last year.
Following the heartbreaking incident, an investigation uncovered multiple shortcomings in Mia’s treatment, prompting her mother, Chloe Hayes, to express deep disappointment with the NHS for failing her daughter during her time of need.
Chloe, 33, from Nottinghamshire, noticed a significant decline in Mia’s mental well-being over a few weeks, attributing it to an undiagnosed neurological condition missed during earlier assessments at the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).
The Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT), which manages the mental health facility, acknowledged the deficiencies highlighted in Mia’s care and has initiated corrective measures. According to Ms. Hayes, Mia’s behavior drastically changed from being happy to exhibiting physical aggression towards the end of 2023.
Mia’s struggles began when she started secondary school, showing signs of unhappiness with her appearance and eating habits. She expressed satisfaction with weight loss due to an illness, leading to concerns raised by her family.
The young girl experienced severe mood swings, ranging from extreme happiness to uncontrollable crying. On New Year’s Eve, she disclosed hearing voices urging self-harm to her mother.
Mia’s behavior escalated to physical aggression, prompting her hospitalization at QMC for tests, which yielded normal results but diagnosed her with an acute psychotic episode.
Afterward, Mia was moved to Emerald Lodge at The Becton Centre in Sheffield, where she made multiple attempts on her life before passing away on January 30, using items from her room each time.
An investigation into Mia’s care at the lodge highlighted shortcomings in observation protocols, communication lapses among staff, and inadequate outdoor access. Her family’s concerns about these issues were reportedly disregarded.
Chloe Hayes lamented the loss of her daughter, emphasizing that with proper care, Mia could have recovered and lived a fulfilling life. A coroner’s inquest is scheduled in November to examine Mia’s death and consider alternative treatment approaches based on her MRI scan results.
The family’s legal representation will challenge whether signs of autoimmune encephalitis on the scan should have altered Mia’s treatment plan. This condition, stemming from the immune system attacking healthy brain cells, can manifest in memory issues, disorientation, fits, and mental health changes manageable with medication.
Ms. Hayes expressed belief that Mia did not intend self-harm but was affected by her illness, emphasizing the need for proper treatment. She criticized the lack of responsiveness by staff at The Becton Centre to her concerns.
Dr. Jeff Perring, SCFT’s Executive Medical Director, conveyed condolences to Mia’s family and pledged improvements in care based on a comprehensive review. Nottingham University Hospitals, responsible for QMC, declined to comment.
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