More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The mother of a vulnerable young woman who killed herself on the way to a private hospital is suing a health trust because there were no NHS beds available in Medway, according to a national newspaper.
Lisa Inkin, 21, a chronic anorexia sufferer, jumped in front of a tube train in Victoria after texting a suicide note to mother Sherry Inkin, an inquest heard.
Now Mrs Inkin, from Gillingham, is taking legal action against Medway Partnership Trust, which was responsible for her daughter's care.
Lisa, a PDSA nurse, was being treated at the Cygnet Hospital in Ealing, west London, which specialises in eating disorders.
She had been forced to travel to London because there were no psychiatric beds available in Kent, the Sunday Times reported.
The tragedy has highlighted the failings of mental health care across the country, forcing patients to travel considerable distances away from their home.
"Lisa was a beautiful, caring and loving daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend, who loved animals and would do anything for anybody..." - Lisa Inkin's family
The Medway Clinical Commissioning Group said there are plans to increase the number of mental health beds in Kent by 14 to 174.
At the time of her death, Lisa family paid tribute to the "beautiful" young woman who "would do anything for anybody".
"We are trying to come to terms with the huge gap that has been left in our lives," they said in a statement released through the British Transport Police.
"Lisa was a beautiful, caring and loving daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend, who loved animals and would do anything for anybody. She will be sadly missed by the whole family.
"We wish to express our sincere gratitude for all the messages of sympathy that we have received and respectfully ask for privacy during this extremely difficult time."
