Misadventure verdict is recorded
A PROFESSOR has criticised the treatment given to a Loughborough woman with a history of mental health problems who died after taking a cocktail of drugs and alcohol.
Loughborough Echo
A verdict of misadventure was recorded by Loughborough coroner Robert Chapman following an inquest into the death of Amanda Giorgio, 48, who passed away at her Harlech Close home on October 3, 2009.
She took large but not lethal on their own doses of the prescription drugs tramadol and tryptophan mixed with alcohol after hearing her carer for the past five years had a new job.
The inquest heard Amanda suffered from borderline personality disorder and had 39 previous incidences of overdoses since 2003 after she was the victim of an alleged assault.
However in the months prior to her death her health had improved after becoming a grandmother.
Amanda's carer, Rachel Eldessouky, told the hearing she rang Amanda to tell her about her new job before they attended a group together.
"She said she kind of expected it but was really sorry to lose me," said Rachael. "I'd still have seen her at the group where she worked to help people. She needed that niche for herself.
"She didn't come to the group which was worrying, I tried to ring but there was no answer. Then I found she'd taken this overdose."
A report by Prof Paul Rogers, who provides expert witness testimonies to the courts, criticised the continued proscribing of drugs to Amanda around 2005 and also stated: "It is quite clear the need for specialist services with Amanda Giorgio in my opinion should have been a suggestion. A reasonable body of mental health professionals could've reduced the risk."
However Prof Roger was unable to answer questions on his findings as he was unable to attend the inquest due to ill health.
Coroner Champman said the incidences in 2005 were 'not relevant for me to deal with' and commented: "My personal feeling is that if Prof Rodgers had been here for Rachel's evidence his views may have been different."
Stuart Mills, the oldest of Amanda's five children, said: "It's a sad irony we didn't have access to this information when she was alive."
The family also received an apology for the length of time the inquest took.