Gaia Pope inquest: Psychiatrist admits 'missed opportunity'

Dr Chamath Rampathirana was called to Poole Hospital to carry out a mental health act assessment alongside Dr Peter Jeffery after she was taken to hospital with “manic episodes”.

The doctors in the early hours of October 22, 2017, determined Ms Pope, who went missing on November 7 before being found naked in undergrowth in Swanage 11 days later, was “medically stable for discharge”.

READ MORE: Psychiatrist admits information sent to Gaia Pope's GP was "inadequate"

Giving evidence at Ms Pope’s inquest at Bournemouth Town Hall, Dr Rampathirana said he was “unsettled” by the 19-year-old’s epilepsy and it was a “missed opportunity” not to contact the epilepsy team, but denied it being a mistake.

Ms Pope’s family have raised concerns about the responses of relevant authorities following her death, and an 11-week inquest will explore her epilepsy treatment, the events of the 11 days between her going missing and being found and the impact of a rape allegation she made on her mental health.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Rampathirana told the inquest: “Communicating with the epilepsy team would have been a good thing to do.

“I am not sure I would call it a mistake, it would have been helpful. It was a missed opportunity.”

Dr Rampathirana said Ms Pope wanted to go home and had calmed down from her earlier agitation.

Concerns were also raised by Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, representing Ms Pope’s family, about Dr Rampathirana describing the teen as a low risk of harm.

The psychiatrist said this referred to intentional harm, but accidental harm was possible.

READ MORE: Gaia Pope inquest: teen was 'reluctant to give up cannabis'

He said: “We always mean intentional harm. Accidental harm would have been a correct line to add. I should have added that line.”

He added she had an appointment with an epilepsy specialist and thought it was “reasonable” to discharge her.

Earlier in the hearing, Dr Jeffery described the discharge note as “inadequate”.

The note said: “Brought into the emergency department by mother with repetitive speech and aggression, upset with high energy.

“Medically therefore no issues and therefore psychiatric liaison team to review. Medically stable for discharge.

“Patient persuaded to stay for Mental Health Act assessment without need for sectioning. Assessed as low risk retaining compacity.

“Addition of 2mg diazepam as required twice a day. Safe to be discharged to family.”

Asked about the summary, Dr Jeffery said: “There was no specific action but for the GP to be aware of the presentation, but I agree that does not give a very good description of the position.

“We’ve since improved that process where the approved mental health act practitioner is responsible for furnishing the GP with a report and we hope that will be more psychiatric-orientated and a bit more useful”.

The inquest continues.