Apology for family of Lauren Ellis

The President of Health & Social Care has apologised to the family of a patient, who died in the care of the mental health service.

Lauren Ellis took her own life on a mental health ward in October 2017.

Last month two nurses were cleared of manslaughter by gross negligence.

Lawyers representing the two nurses in court argued there were multiple failings which all contributed to Lauren's death.

An independent review of the service was commissioned by Health and Social Care after Lauren's death on the ward. Now legal proceedings have come to an end, the report has been published.

The review found 'overall a good' and 'well resourced' service was being provided and that 'excellent work' was already underway to improve systems and processes around admissions to the ward. The author of the report, Geraldine O'Sullivan, made some recommendations which the Health and Social Care Committee say they've acted on.

Medical staff were not questioned as part of the review because of the ongoing investigation.