A mum who thought she had long Covid and was developing dementia was tragically found dead on her own birthday.
Sandra Kirk became convinced she was suffering from the two conditions after Covid tore through her family.
The 57-year-old contracted Covid along with her husband and elderly mother in November 2020 and found her mental health spiralling afterwards, an inquest heard, SurreyLive reported.
Even though all three recovered from the virus, she became convinced that she had long Covid and at the same time was developing dementia even though she had no symptoms.
On August 2, 2021 she was found dead in a bathroom adjoining her room at Cygnet Hospital in Woking.
The inquest, at Surrey’s Coroner Court, is now looking into the tragic death to find out what happened to the beloved swim teacher.
On Monday 5 September, husband Andrew described Sandra as “wonderful”. He added: "I don't see how she took her life when she was ostensibly in a place of safety."
He claimed: “There is now so much evidence that Covid can lead to psychosis. I believe with proper care throughout, Sandra’s death would have been avoided."
Sandra had made previous attempts to take her life before she died, the inquest heard, and assistant coroner Anna Loxton said she was under more constant watch upon arriving at the independent mental health clinic.
In the month prior to her death, these check-ups were reduced to once every hour.
In his statement, Andrew, whose family is being represented by Stephen Jones, partner at law firm Leigh Day, said she should have received better care at the hospital. He also criticised an inspection of her room on July 17, 2021.
Andrew said his wife had been a member of cabin crew at the now defunct GB Airways and had turned her passion for swimming into a career following the birth of their two daughters.
She taught “hundreds if not thousands” of children within Surrey and was described as having a “wonderful reputation” in the area.
During the course of the inquest, which will last until September 16, the jury will also hear statements from Cygnet Hospital which offers mental health services for men and women across four wards on Redding Way in Knaphill.
The inquest continues.
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