Girl, 11, who died by suicide 'was not heard' by 'inadequate' mental health services, court told

After finding Milly Tuomey's suicide diary there was an urgent referral in December 2015 to mental health services, but an appointment was only given for the day after she died in 2016

(Left to right) Fiona Tuomey with her husband Tim and daughter Daisy at the Four Courts in Dublin today where they settled over the loss of their daughter Milly Tuomey to suicide in 2016. 'Today Milly’s voice was heard. This was an 11-year-old child, our precious daughter Daisy’s sister.' Picture: Collins Courts

The mother of an 11-year-old girl who died by suicide has spoken in the High Court how her daughter had struggled and they sought help in the eight weeks before her death, but her voice had not been heard.

Milly Tuomey, weeks before taking her own life, posted on Instagram the date on which she intended to die and her parents sought to access help, but her mother told a judge the mental health services in this country are “woefully inadequate”. 

“We want her voice to be heard now. Her voice was not heard during that eight weeks she struggled. We can’t bring our child back but by bringing this case for her it will be a small justice for Milly and there will be some change to the services provided,” she said.

Fiona Tuomey was speaking in court as her family settled for €65,000 a High Court action over her daughter’s death in January 2016 and just eight weeks after the family first sought help for her mental health difficulties.

During that time a suicide diary was found and there was an urgent referral in December 2015 to mental health services, but an appointment was only given for January 5, 2016, a day after Milly died.

The family’s counsel, Pearse Sreenan SC instructed by Cantillons Solicitors, told the High Court it was their case that there was a “systemic-wide series of errors” by all involved in Milly’s care between November 2015 and January 2016.

The court was told Milly Tuomey 'was deeply loved not just by her parents and her sister Daisy but her grandparents, cousins and all her family and she had many friends.'

Eight weeks, he said, after the family first sought help by bringing Milly to a doctor, she was found by her sister Daisy at home and she was taken to hospital where she died later. He said experts on their side were highly critical of the way the system let down Milly and the Tuomey family.

He said the bringing of the litigation was not in relation to monetary compensation but to highlight the mental health system. He said the HSE had the key to unlocking the system. The Tuomeys, he said, had brought the case to expose the lack of reaction in Milly’s case and the tragedy that happened.

Milly’s mother Fiona Tuomey, Cypress Downs, Tempelogue, Dublin, had on behalf of her family brought an action against the HSE, a doctor, an art therapist, private clinic An Cuan Centre for Psychological Services trading as An Cuan and with registered offices at Rathgar Avenue, Dublin, and St John of God Community Services Company Ltd trading as Lucena Clinic Services with registered offices at Stillorgan, Dublin.

In the proceedings, it was claimed that Milly took her own life allegedly not having been properly or adequately referred, treated or assessed. The HSE and St John of God Community Services admitted they failed to provide treatment to Milly within an acceptable timeframe, but it was denied that the girl’s untimely death was caused by alleged negligence on their part. The doctor denied all claims.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told a settlement had been reached after mediation and an order could be made against the HSE, the doctor and St John of God Community Services. Counsel asked for judgement against An Cuan Centre for Psychological Services as no appearance had been entered by it.

Apology

In an apology read to the court, the management of St John of God Community Services apologised for the deficits in care provided to Milly.

“She was not provided with treatment within an acceptable timeframe, and we appreciate this gave rise to a missed opportunity in respect of her care.” It said: “We acknowledge the profound and devastating impact that Milly’s death has had on you all.” 

The letter, which was signed by CEO Clare Dempsey and offered sincere condolences to Milly’s family, also stated that following Milly’s tragic death a waiting list initiative was introduced to streamline assessments and treatment paths to reduce waiting lists.

It also stated Lucena Child and Adolescnet Mental Health Services (Camhs) has now implemented its own clinical governance group and the service, it said, is now linked in with Health Link and the Camhs Hub has been established as part of a national clinical programme which reviews urgent referrals. Response time to urgent referrals, it said, is within 72 hours.

Mrs Tuomey told the court their daughter Milly sparkled and had an abundance of gifts.

She told the judge:

She was deeply loved not just by her parents and her sister Daisy but her grandparents, cousins and all her family and she had many friends, but that did not protect her from going through a mental health crisis. 

She added: “Milly has left an enormous void in our lives.” 

Noting the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a most tragic and heartbreaking case and he sympathized with the Tuomey family.

Outside court, Fiona Tuomey with her husband Tim and daughter Daisy said it had been seven difficult years. “Today Milly’s voice was heard. This was an 11-year-old child, our precious daughter Daisy’s sister,” Ms Tuomey said.

Referring to the apology, she said apologies mean very little unless they are followed up with real change.

“Unfortunately, in the seven years since Milly died by suicide many have died by suicide. I would like to see real change. It is too late for our child but hopefully it will not be too late for other children,” she said.

She added: “Mental health in this country has been undervalued and it needs to be addressed by the Minister for Health.

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