AN ULVERSTON man with underlying medical conditions and undiagnosed mental health problems died from feeding complications in hospital, an inquest heard.

Peter Christopher McGillivray died at the age of 71 at Furness General Hospital on September 9 2021 whilst under the care of the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Cockermouth Coroners Court heard Mr McGillivray was admitted to the emergency department on August 13 2021 after he sustained a neck injury following a suicide attempt at his home address.

The court heard he would regularly pull out his nasogastric tube tube, canula and was not accepting of feeding tubes at times during his admission.

“His suicide attempt was a desperate reaction to his chronic insomnia and low mood,” coroner Kirsty Gomersal concluded.

“There were periods of time when Peter was compliant in hospital, but also times when he refused medication.

“Do not attempt resuscitation was put in place on August 16 and Peter had capacity to agree to this.”

The court heard Mr McGillivray was nil by mouth and was sectioned on August 20 while being treated in the cardiac unit (Ward 7).

He was not receiving adequate nutrition from August 23 due to his resistance from feeding, which was a factor in his deterioration, Ms Gomersal determined.  

The court heard he was first given mirtazapine to help with his low mood on August 27.

Mr Gillivray also suffered from underlying heart disease and chronic insomnia. The court heard he was not taking his prescribed medication for this.

By September 3, he had developed a chest infection, which Ms Gomersal explained was not surprising given he was having oral intake now at risk.

From September 6, Mr McGillivray had become very poorly and was now being treated in palliative care, the inquest heard.

It comes after he had aspirated on liquid food which caused bronchopneumonia – a recognised complication of feeding at risk.  

Ms Gomersal concluded Mr McGillivray died as a result of feeding complications caused by dysphagia following a traumatic neck injury. Mr McGillivray aspirated on liquid food which caused bronchopneumonia from poor oral intake, she said.

In summary she said: “At no point any action that Peter undertook can be considered a reasoned decision to take his own life.

“Peter’s mental health was not actively being treated at the time of his death, but this did not cause or contribute towards his death.

“I find the medical team did the best they could and that his clinical care was reasonable.  

“I cannot find starting mental health medication earlier or having someone in the mental health team build a relationship with Peter would have made any difference to the outcome.”