A CORONER has recorded her official concerns over the mental health care a vulnerable Barnsley woman had received in the run-up to her being found dead in a stream almost three months after disappearing.
Claire Driver, 44, was reported missing to South Yorkshire Police on June 24.
A month-long search around Silkstone - the last place she was seen - was conducted but the search ended as there were no more leads to follow and she was presumed dead.
She was found on September 14 in a ‘state of decomposition in a shallow stream’ in woodland off Kinemoor Lane in Silkstone.
Claire’s fingerprints helped identify her.
On September 27, senior coroner of South Yorkshire Tanyka Rawden opened an investigation into Claire’s death and it was reopened - and concluded - last week.
The conclusion of the inquest was ‘open’ and Claire’s cause of death could not be ascertained.
However, Ms Rawden has raised concerns about what happened to Claire while she was having mental health and substance misuse difficulties.
A report said: “Claire Louise Driver had a past medical history of schizoaffective disorder and polysubstance misuse.
“She had been known to mental health services since 2011 and was first admitted to hospital in 2014.
“She had a lengthy hospital admission between 2018 and 2021 and on discharge was supported by a care co-ordinator from the enhanced community mental health team.
“By May 2023 she had started to disengage with that team.
“She was seen by her care co-ordinator on November 28, 2023 whilst in police custody and was not displaying any signs of psychosis.”
The report added that the mental health team attempted to contact Claire on a number of occasions, though a home visit was unsuccessful.
She was arrested on December 16, 2023 for indecent exposure while intoxicated, though she was not seen by the mental health team while in custody.
“On January 11, 2024 the enhanced community mental health team and fire service visited Claire’s address and could not gain access,” the report added.
“On January 16, 2024 Claire was arrested - she was assessed under the Mental Health Act and detained.
“During that admission her medication was optimised, she began to engage with treatment, and her symptoms began to improve along with her insight into her condition.
“She began to take leave in preparation for discharge.
“She was seen in the community by the enhanced community mental health team on May 5, 2024 and discharged from hospital two days later.
Following initial, unsuccessful attempts at contact, Claire was seen on May, 13, 14 and 21.
She was concerned about side-effects from her medication and was reluctant to take it.
She was also seen to be drinking beer.
Claire was arrested and taken to court on June 13 before being granted bail.
She was then reported missing to the police force on June 24.
Following a fresh search, she was found deceased on September 14.
Ms Rawden raised her concerns in an official report.
She said: “The inquest heard there were only two attempts to see Claire by the enhanced community mental health team between November 28, 2023, when she was seen in police custody, and January 16, 2024, when she was detained under the Mental Health Act, despite clear evidence her mental health was deteriorating.
“It was accepted in evidence a more assertive approach to attempt to engage Claire, and in complex cases generally, could have been used and there could have been better liaison between the police and the enhanced community mental health team when Claire was in custody.
“A more assertive approach and better liaison could have prevented Claire relapsing to such an extent she needed to be detained under the Mental Health Act.
“The inquest heard that training on the effect of substance misuse on mental health conditions is not mandatory for all staff and would be of assistance when caring for patients such as Claire.”
A spokesperson for the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust added: “Our thoughts are with Claire’s family, friends and everyone affected.
“The safety of the service users and patients we support and care for is paramount to us. We will be considering the findings of the report to identify where we can learn and improve.
“We will continue to do all we can to safeguard and protect all those we care for.”
