Struggling St Annes mum and son died one month apart

Devastated mum Jane Ireland took her own life one month after the tragic death of her son, Marshall

Marshall Metcalfe, 17, died at Royal Preston Hospital on May 7 2020.

Just one month later his heartbroken mum Jane Ireland, 44, also died.

At a pre-inquest hearing at Blackpool town hall on Wednesday, the court heard that both Mr Metcalfe and Ms Ireland had a history of mental health problems.

Marshall was just 17-years-old when he died on May 7 2020

Mr Metcalfe was discharged from The Cove, a specialist inpatient unit for teenagers with mental illnesses, not long before his death. It was noted that he had not improved in inpatient care and that he was unwilling to co-operate with health professionals. In 2018, he confided in a family member that he had tried to kill himself by jumping off a building.

Meanwhile, Ms Ireland was known to the early intervention service and had been admitted several times since 2017.

Both mother and son, of Heeley Road in St Annes, had at one point been seen by the same psychiatrist.

In a tribute, Marshall's older sister Holly said: "Marshall had been suffering with his mental health for the last three years and had been in and out of hospital under a section for the last two years.

"Marshall was discharged from the Cove Hospital in January this year. In March 2020 the pandemic began, Covid-19. Marshall was red alert when he was discharged and had no community care in place for the pandemic.

"Marshall lived with my beautiful mum who as a result of Marshall's death also felt there was no escape from the prison of her own thoughts and took her life on the June 7. My mum had been suffering with her mental health for the last several years, and 'slipped through the net' as they say, and wasn't supported or treated.

"Many families across the UK are grieving for a loved one who sadly felt they had no other option, no way out and consequently took their own life. The mental heath system in the UK is failing individuals and families."

Ciara Bartlam, a legal representative for the family, told coroner Alan Wilson that it was questionable whether Mr Metcalfe had the capacity to make informed decisions about his care due to his illness.

An independent investigation found that, though many aspects of his care had been ‘adequate, if not excellent’, ‘opportunities were missed’ to help him.

Miss Bartlam also told the court that professionals had raised concerns about Ms Ireland’s ability to care for her son.

Another pre-inquest hearing was arranged by coroner Alan Wilson for March 8, 2021.