A JURY inquest has told a health authority to make changes following the death of a woman detained under the Mental Health Act.

A jury inquest sitting at Dorchester made recommendations for the future of Minterne Ward at Forston Clinic after Louise Wright, 26, died at Dorset County Hospital after being detained on the ward.

Miss Wright, formerly of St Leonard’s Road, Weymouth, voluntarily entered the clinic on February 17 and was later detained under the Mental Health Act.

She was found unconscious in one of the bathrooms on February 25. She had strips of towel round her neck which had been knotted.

Miss Wright was taken to hospital in nearby Dorchester but never regained consciousness. She died on February 28.

The jury found that she died of the effects of oxygen starvation.

They returned the verdict that it could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Miss Wright had intended to take her own life.

Miss Wright had a questioned diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and the inquest heard that she had a history of self-harm and would often hear negative voices.

The jury returned a narrative verdict including comments on several issues raised throughout the inquest and made recommendations for the future.

These included installing emergency alarms on the ward and in the bathrooms for the safety of staff and patients.

Other recommendations were that staff should be given mandatory training in the care of people with BPD although they acknowledged that staff had sought the advice of experts on the issue.

The verdict also suggested that staffing levels on the day that Miss Wright was found in the bathroom had not been adequate and that the decision to allow her to bathe was inappropriate as February 25 was perceived to be a ‘risk day’ for Miss Wright as it was her niece’s funeral.

A spokesman for Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foun-dation Trust which is responsible for the clinic said it would be looking to include elements from the inquest in its future plans.

Since the incident, staff have started specific training into dealing with people with BPD.

The spokesman said: “We wish to offer our sincere condolences to all the family of Louise Wright following her tragic death on 28 February 2011.

“Following this very sad event, we have undertaken a thorough investigation, as the learning from this is important to us in providing the best possible patient care.

“The outcome of the inquest will be included in the actions that we are taking forward and we are keen to ensure that Louise’s family continue to be made aware of actions that we have taken."

Campaign to dispel myths

Following Miss Wright’s death her fiancée Danielle McColm, who attended the inquest and gave evidence, started a campaign in her memory.

It seeks to dispel myths about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), signpost help for sufferers and lobby medical staff to get to know their patients.

Those diagnosed with BPD are commonly misconceived as attention-seeking, a myth that mental health charity SANE is keen to dispel.

Symptoms include poor self image, difficulties maintaining stable personal relationships and impulsive behaviour.

Miss McColm declined to comment following the conclusion of the inquest.