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Daniel Vane from Gravesend hanged himself after history of drug abuse

A coroner has ruled a medical trust was correct to discharge a patient from a mental health ward, despite the fact he committed suicide days later.

Daniel Vane, of Imperial Drive, Gravesend, was discovered by three youngsters in woodland off Shorne Ifield Road, on April 28 this year.

The 23-year-old had left for the shops at around 11am and his family became alarmed when he did not return an hour-and-a-half later.

Daniel Vane, 23, left for the shops on April 28 and did not return home. Picture: Lauren Vane
Daniel Vane, 23, left for the shops on April 28 and did not return home. Picture: Lauren Vane

Roger Hatch coroner for north west Kent, heard that Mr Vane had a long-term problem with drugs including the use of legal highs, amphetamines and cannabis.

He had developed mental health problems that included anxiety and psychosis. From time to time he heard voices telling him what to do.

Mr Vane had made at least two attempts to kill himself previously but immediately before his death had had spent some time in mental health hospitals.

He first spent two and a half months at a hospital in Roehampton, and then he was transferred to Littlebrook Hospital in Dartford for three weeks before being discharged.

Following his death, his family - parents Sharon and Michael and sisters Roxanne and Lauren - made complaints about his treatment, questioning whether the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust was right to discharge him when they did - just five days before his death.

While still in hospital, Mr Vane had threatened to take his life if he was discharged.

But the consultant psychiatrist responsible for his care at Littlebrook, Dr Baa Ndukwe, insisted there was no more that could be done for him on the ward than was available to him as care in the community.

Daniel Vane, 23, with his sister Lauren Vane. Picture: Lauren Vane
Daniel Vane, 23, with his sister Lauren Vane. Picture: Lauren Vane

In over two hours of testimony from Dr Ndukwe and Dr Uttum Gurang, the doctor who had admitted him, as well as from Daniel Matate, his mental health nurse, a picture was painted of Mr Vane as a difficult patient.

He was often absent from the ward, would decline to take his medication and would not attend the therapy classes which the medical staff considered essential.

Mr Matate said Mr Vane had struggled to give up the use of other drugs, including cocaine, which he bought online.

Mr Matate had last visited Mr Vane at home the day before his death.

Mr Vane then had denied any suicidal thoughts, had said he was coping with the voices, and had expressed no desire to return to hospital.

Mr Hatch said it was possible that Mr Vane, a voluntary patient at the hospital, could have committed suicide at any time.

When he left the hospital, he was provided with an appropriate level of care and Mr Hatch was satisfied that the medics were correct to discharge him.

He concluded that Mr Vane's death was by suicide and there was no need for him to attach any advice to his conclusion.

Daniel Vane's sister Lauren has decided to run the London Marathon in his memory.

The 2019 marathon will be on Sunday, April 28, the exact anniversary of her brother's death.

Her aim is to raise £2,000 for the mental health charity MIND.

Anyone wishing to support the cause, should click here.

If you would like confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or click here.

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