Multiple failings contributed to death of 20-year-old Ty Channce
16 February 2024
A jury has found that multiple failings by an NHS Trust contributed to the death of 20-year-old Ty Channce.
Ty had been a resident at Roseberry Park Hospital in Middlesbrough, part of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Trust, since 2018. He had a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.
Ty tragically died by suicide on 28 April 2021 after being allowed two hours of unescorted leave from the hospital.
It was the first occasion Ty had been permitted unescorted leave in nine months due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The inquest jury found that the failure by the hospital to gradually reintroduce unescorted leave was one of the factors which contributed to Ty’s death.
A failure to ensure that Ty was taking his medication correctly was also found have contributed to Ty’s suicide, as well as the negative impact of Covid-19 restrictions on his mental health.
In a statement, Ty’s mum Cheryl, dad Carlton and step-dad John, said:
‘We fought for Ty. We set out to get justice for Ty. We are glad the jury saw how he had been failed.
‘We are fighting, not just for Ty, but for other families too. We hope this spares other families going through the pain and heartache of losing a child that we place in the care of the trust.
‘He didn’t come home but he will live forever in our hearts. He is our heart.
‘We lost a loving son and this has left a hole in our hearts that will always be there. We will always love you Ty.’
Lily Lewis represents members of the family of Ty Channce, instructed by Watson Woodhouse.
