Family says NHS and council failed woman after caravan fire

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 06:09 · Archive

A woman who took her own life after losing her home in a caravan fire died eight weeks after the blaze, her family claims.

Debbie West, 57, died on 31 July after taking an overdose at Sea End Country Park in Burnham. Eight weeks before her death, a fire destroyed her caravan and two others at Creeksea Place Caravan Park, leaving her homeless and without any belongings. The fire also killed one of her two cats.

West struggled with addiction and mental health problems. Her daughter Zoe told the outlets that the family contacted Maldon District Council immediately after the fire to explain that West was very vulnerable and in recovery for breast cancer. The council offered shared accommodation in Wickford, but West could not take her remaining cat.

Zoe said: 'She was left with nothing. She was screaming and clawing at her own face.' She said losing her home and coping with the aftermath overwhelmed her mother.

West's daughters say Maldon District Council and Broomfield Hospital failed her. They allege she received no suitable housing, adequate mental health care or follow-up support despite having repeatedly attempted suicide. The daughters say the council refused to deal with them directly despite knowing West was vulnerable.

Zoe told the outlets: 'I told the council, I'm begging you. This will send her over the edge. I cannot deal with losing my mum.'

How it is being reported

• NHS and council failed our mum who took her own life, say grieving daughtersThe family of a woman who took her own life after losing her home in a fire say the NHS and Maldon District Council failed her.Brentwood Guardian · 8 Oct, 05:00
• NHS and council failed our mum who took her own life, say grieving daughtersThe family of a woman who took her own life after losing her home in a fire say the NHS and Maldon District Council failed her.Echo (Basildon) · 8 Oct, 05:00
• NHS and council failed our mum who took her own life, say grieving daughtersThe family of a woman who took her own life after losing her home in a fire say the NHS and Maldon District Council failed her.Colchester Gazette · 8 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Debbie West · Zoe West · Maldon District Council · Broomfield Hospital · Burnham · Creeksea Place Caravan Park

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem