AN NHS trust has conducted an investigation into the suicide of a support worker in Barrow, an inquest has heard.

Karen Kelsall, 53, was found unresponsive in her car in a "remote area" of Barrow on the afternoon of October 23, 2020, by her husband Andrew after he became concerned that she had failed to return to their home on Oxford Street.

Paramedics diagnosed her death at 1.17 pm and results of a postmortem concluded she died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

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Area Coroner for Cumbria, Ms Kirsty Gomersall, heard Mrs Kelsall had endured "serious challenges" with her mental health over the last 18 months of her life, according to Mr Kelsall, who said that as a family they frequently encouraged her to seek help, but that she could become "very emotional" when it was addressed.

His statement said that in 2019 Mrs Kelsall was taken to hospital after an overdose, and from August 2019 until Christmas 2019 was in contact with mental health services but that there was '"no follow-up after the initial crisis", and was discharged in January 2020.

He said that for the last two years of her life, she would frequently mention suicide.

Mr Kelsall called 999 on September 21, 2020, after Mrs Kelsall had harmed herself and was wounded.

She refused to go to hospital, as paramedics recommended, for both physical and mental assessment, and after calling police, her GP, and mental health services, none of which could offer assistance or intervention, paramedics made the judgement that Mrs Kelsall "had the capacity" to refuse treatment, despite Mr Kelsall's assertion that she was intoxicated.

She continued to refuse treatment so paramedics advised Mr Kelsall to call 999 if another crisis arose.

A report compiled by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS trust admitted that there were "missed opportunities" in Mrs Kelsall's care, and outlined ways in which the care and service delivery should be improved.

Ms Gomersall found no suspicious circumstances, and that Mrs Kelsall had intended to take her own life, judging by evidence found at the scene.

She concluded: "Mrs Karen Kelsall was the much-loved wife of Andrew Kelsall and adored mum.

"She was a fierce and proud mother to her daughters and her loss will be felt for many many years to come, of that I am sure. 

"(Mr Kelsall outlined) particularly her love of music and enjoyment of a good singalong with her daughters, and that Karen was passionate about her job working with people with learning disabilities."

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