07-03-2025
'Changes needed' after asylum seeker's death
A coroner has told a hospital trust it must act to prevent future deaths after a young asylum seeker took his own life while under the trust's care.
Henok Zaid Gebrsslasie was found dead at the Caludon Centre in Coventry in 2021, he should have been checked every 15 minutes but was left unobserved for three hours, an inquest was told.
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust said it was "committed to addressing the concerns" identified through an internal investigation into the death.
The trust has also been asked by the BBC about the coroner's concerns.
A report published by Delroy Henry, area coroner for Coventry, said a camera in the room captured the last interactions between Mr Gebrsslasie and staff, and that moments later he proceeded to take his own life.
The coroner said that following the death, an alarm system was due to be installed in the centre to prevent similar incidents happening in future.
Three-and-a-half years later, the system had still not been installed, the coroner noted.
He said there seemed to be "no expediency to physically better mitigate this known environmental high-risk issue".
A spokesperson for the trust issued a statement prior to publication of the coroner's concerns, in which they stated: "We offer our deepest sympathy to Mr Henok Gebrsslasie's family and loved ones."
They added that the trust had made improvements to operating procedures and reduced environmental risks on its wards.
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HM Courts & Tribunals Service
