Yesterday, 25th September, Dr Anna Kennedy OBE, who is a regular autism contributor for the SKY TV’s ‘The Chrissy B Show’ (the only mental health and well-being show on UK television) interviewed Melanie Leahy. This programme will be aired within the next few weeks.
Melanie shares: ‘Seven days after being taken to a place of safety by Essex Police, my son was dead. ‘As a mother struggling to know what was best for Matthew, I felt relief that he was finally in place of safety and under professional care. I was advised not to visit for the first week and allow him to settle on the ward. ‘The next time I got see my son, he was a crime scene on a hospital trolley. When I lent down to kiss him, I was told: “Don’t touch, he’s a crime scene.”‘
An Article 2 jury-led Coroners Inquest in January 2015 could not conclude suicide. The verdict was left open. A statement read out to the court said: ‘Matthew Leahy had been subjected to a series of multiple failings and missed opportunities over a long period of time.’
Evidence has been destroyed. Papers falsified. Staff not traceable.
‘We told him to call the police. He did exactly that. Before the police arrived staff had medicated our son some more. The police deemed him of no capacity to be examined. We have later discovered no mental capacity assessment was ever done. Police failed to take any swabs; they failed to seize any clothing.
‘I have been fighting for the last seven years, since Matthew died, for answers. Just recently The Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman produced a report and Sir Norman Lamb MP has backed my call for an urgent public inquiry. Currently, the Government is denying this. There is so much delay and people continue to die.’
Melanie shared with Anna that she is looking for support for her petition running to have her son’s case discussed in Parliament. It has already exceeded the 10,000 needed for a response from the Government, but needs 100,000 to be considered for debate. Melanie cannot do this alone she has asked for Anna’s support and cannot do this alone.
Please help Melanie and click on this link and sign up. Melanie will be joining Anna discussing her call for a public inquiry into Matthew’s unnecessary death on 15th October 2019 live at 1pm on Anna’s weekly Women’s Radio Station programme.
Melanie shares: ‘I am extremely grateful to Anna for giving me this opportunity to raise awareness of my campaign and hope that it will help progress my quest for answers, accountability and change for others. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the 27,000 plus supporters of my campaign, to date.
‘I fight this fight for all those failed to date and all your loved ones needing safe, compassionate care now and in the future.’
