The final days of a "loving, caring" mum who was found unresponsive on the floor of a mental health hospital bathroom have been set out in court.
Mum of two Zainab Mohamed, 38, was admitted to Clock View Mental Health Hospital in Walton on June 1, 2021, after seven weeks of manic symptoms caused by the most severe case of bipolar disorder her psychiatrist had ever seen. She was initially checked on every 15 minutes by staff, but these checks were reduced to once an hour on June 7.
On the afternoon of June 10, she was found unresponsive on a bathroom floor, and was rushed to Aintree Hospital, where she was placed on life support. She died on June 14, with a cause of death being cardiac arrest caused by asphyxia, which was caused by bipolar disorder.
READ MORE: 'Loving' mum died after courageous battle with 'most severe illness' doctor had ever seen
At her ongoing inquest yesterday, April 25, the court heard that Zainab, a student nurse from Wavertree, had not expressed any intention of suicide when meeting with leading Clock View psychiatrist, Dr Hannah Ruth, on June 2.
Dr Ruth told coroner Anita Bhardwaj that the hospital did not carry out blanket bans of potentially dangerous items and that each patient was instead assessed on an individual basis.
She said: "(Restrictions) can be very detrimental, and lots of patients do liken rules and restrictions to being in prison. It can strip patients of their independence and autonomy. It makes them feel like they are being treated like children and can't make their own decisions. Ultimately we want patients to develop coping skills and support them."
While in hospital, Zainab struggled with eating and drinking and appeared lethargic, according to staff reports. On June 4, 5 and 6 she remained in her room and slept for long periods of time. On June 8 she refused breakfast and supper, "appeared quite tearful at times", and was "dazed" when her mum visited her. She also refused to take her medication a number of times, as she said it made her lethargic.
The court also heard that Zainab had been the victim of a "racial incident" from another patient during her stay, which caused her to become upset and distressed.
Dr Ruth said: "That could have had a really detrimental effect on her mental health. It's a really horrible thing for Zainab to experience. Hospitals are places where people should feel safe, so it's likely to have had a detrimental effect on her."
She also believed Zainab's mental health was negatively impacted by visiting restrictions due to Covid-19 measures that were in place at the time, as "it was very clear how much she loved her children and family."
However, she added that she was "absolutely shocked" when she discovered Zainab had apparently taken her own life. She said: "In the conversation I had with her, she was so clear that she wasn't intending it. That's what she expressed at the time."
The inquest continues.
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