Inquest into death of Thatcham dance teacher Bethany Privett told of mental health service failings

LESSONS have apparently been learned by mental health services following the death of a beloved dance teacher.

Bethany Privett, who was 24-years-old, owned Linden School of Dance and taught many people, young and old, in West Berkshire.

She was found dead by her fiancé James Hamill at her home in Francis Close, Thatcham, in the early hours of March 2 last year, following a long battle with her mental health.

At a five-day inquest into her death held at Reading Town Hall, which concluded on Monday, assistant Berkshire coroner Alison McCormick heard how Ms Privett had struggled with her symptoms, which included voices telling her to harm herself.

She was treated for emotionally unstable personality disorder and had also been assigned a domestic violence support worker following a ‘Claire’s Law’ application, the hearing was told.

Clare’s Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) is a police policy giving people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse.

The scheme is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend in 2009.

In a tribute read at the hearing Mr Hamill said his relationship with Ms Privett was “complex”, but added: “She was never violent towards me nor I towards her… everything I did was with good intentions and a pure heart.”

The inquest explored the care given to Ms Privett by the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the coroner noted several failings in service provision.

In particular, she highlighted the fact that Ms Privett, at one point, had no care co-ordinator despite repeated requests.

In addition, there were delays in responding to medication review requests and to a mental health programme referral.

Moreover, regular access to a psychiatrist was not available, contrary to assurances given and she had been discharged from a care programme without a multi-disciplinary service meeting, resulting in her being sent home, alone, in a taxi without her family’s knowledge.

Ms Privett would have found the above failings “upsetting and frustrating”, Ms McCormick acknowledged.

But, overall, she said they would probably not have changed the tragic outcome nor represented a “more than minimal contribution” to it.

Meanwhile the NHS trust had attended the inquest and lessons had been learned, said the coroner.

A post mortem examination revealed no alcohol or illicit drugs and Ms McCormick concluded the the cause of death was suicide by suspension.

Family tributes read at the hearing described a beloved, inspirational daughter and sibling who “stood out from the crowd”.

Her passions included skin diving and caring for her pet snakes.

Her mother Tracy, said her daughter “lived a full life and achieved many things in her 24 years”.

But she poured her soul into dance, something she had loved since she was two-years-old.

* ANYONE seeking support can contact the following organisations:

Time to Talk: www.t2twb.org or call (01635) 760331. You can also find help and advice on the charity’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (all @t2twb) or by emailing hello@t2twb.org

You can visit www.recoveryinmind.org and find a number of resources to help you look after your mental health.

Eight Bells for Mental Health: www.eightbellsnewbury.co.uk – call 07387 962220 – email coordinator@eightbellsnewbury.co.uk

Mental Health Crisis Team – call if you need urgent help, but it’s not an emergency 0300 365 0300 or 0300 365 9999

Sane Line – www.sane.org.uk – call 0300 304 700

Childline: www.childline.org.uk – 0800 1111

Mind: www.mind.org.uk – 0300 123 3393 or text 86463

The Samaritans: www.samaritans.org – call 116 123 – email jo@samaritans.org