Following an inquest into the death of teenager, Evelin Chacko, Bolton Coroners’ Court heard that the 16-year-old was found dead in a nearby woodland just an hour after leaving the hospitaland that there were “systemic failures” at “every stage” of her treatment.
Evelin Chacko, from Farnworth, was admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital following an overdose at her family home on 1 July 2020 and, after being initially taken into A&E, was placed in C2 ward: an adult treatment centre for people with complex care needs and the elderly.
Bolton Coroners’ Court heard how Evelin left the ward and returned home on at least three occasions but had always come back, with C2 consultant Dr Geraldine Donnelly confirming it was an open ward and that Evelin was “free to come and go” without monitoring from July 5 onwards.
However, after a meeting on July 10, where the assigned nurse Afreen Khan was said to be awaiting a mental health review for Evelin, he was told the next steps would be dealt with by another team and was not made aware that she attempted to harm herself the night before her death during the handover.
The inquest also heard that a mental health review took place on July 13 at around 1pm but Mr Khan was not able to attend due to his workload and the pressures of looking after nine other patients. Evelin left at 2.12pm and died just over an hour later.
Mr Khan told the court that “you shouldn’t be a named nurse and in charge [of multiple others], but we were expected to do both roles because of the pandemic and staffing. I didn’t have the chance to sit down and read her notes. I gave her medication, carried out observations and saw her behaviour.”
After hearing that she was placed on an “inappropriate ward” and should have been afforded “extra contact to check she was ok”, Area Coroner Professor Dr Alan Walsh also questioned how Khan could have been able to do “two jobs at once” in attending to the other patients and keeping an eye on Evelin.
Another staff member, Mary Hart, worked various shifts throughout Ms Chacko’s time in the hospital and said that while she had no immediate concerns about her wellbeing, she did note how “Evelin walked past and she appeared to be very upset” on 13 July, adding that “it was out of character for her.”
However, it is worth noting that although Evelin was described as a “smiley” individual by both her family and individuals around the hospital, it was also heard that she had a long history of “suicidal ideation” and had been escorted away from a motorway bridge in May earlier that year.
Data extracted from her phone also showed that in the months leading up to her death, the 16-year-old’s internet searches included, ‘I feel like I have to commit suicide’, ‘How to hide that I am suicidal’, and ‘What to write in a suicide note’, as well as googling hanging methods on the day she died.
Giving evidence in the inquest, Dr Patrick Waugh’s examination of her body showed ligature marks, as well as abrasions on her chin which suggested an attempt to adjust/struggle and suggested hanging as the cause of death.
Noticing that she was crying, Hart said she tried to approach the teen and although she did speak to her, Evelin “wouldn’t engage or acknowledge.” After returning from the Clinical Decision Unit, another nurse, Dawn Murphy, said she met security at the entrance and gave Evelin’s name and description.
It was then heard that in the notes entered into the electronic system at 1.49pm following the mental health review, it was stated that there was a “need to monitor” her but — similarly to Mr Khan and Evelin’s attempt to harm herself — she was not made aware of the contents of the report.
Speaking on behalf of the Chacko family, a spokesperson for Oakwood Solicitors said: “We are deeply saddened by Evelin Chacko’s tragic death however, we are consoled with the admissions made by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in relation to their failings.
“The investigations are still underway with regards to the involvement of Greater Manchester Mental Health and Bolton Council, but it has been recognised that Evelin, a 16-year-old, was on a wholly inappropriate adult acute ward. There is a lot to learn from her death.
“The nurse involved in Evelin’s care admitted that they did not have time to review the records and she was inappropriately placed on a ward where they were not experienced to deal with Evelin’s mental health. What was consistent is that Evelin was loving and caring.”
The inquest has now been halted until 30 October when more evidence will be presented to the Coroners’ Court. Oakwood concluded by stating, “It is hoped that when the investigations resume in the Autumn that the family will be able to receive some closure.”
For anyone struggling with mental health, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Samaritans on 116 123, text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258, contact the NHS on 101 or, if it’s an emergency, call 999 immediately.
You can also find helpful resources regarding sexual abuse support HERE.
Featured Image — Facebook
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Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
“We are definitely going to see the very best of what Rochdale has to offer over the next 12 months and people will come from far and wide to see it.”
Featured Image – Rochdale Council
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The Lowry Theatre undergoes revamp following Biffa Award grant
Danny Jones
The Lowry in Salford Quays has had a bit of TLC with one of its biggest theatre spaces undergoing a pretty significant refurb this past month.
Following a well-deserved grant distributed via the Biffa Award, a multi-million-pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through community and environmental projects across the UK, the legendary local theatre received nearly £75k last year.
As a result, all 440 seats and various other aspects of The Lowry‘s Quays Theatre have now been renovated and refurbished.
The short story is, she looks more gorgeous than ever – see for yourself:
Being initially handed over in March 2024, The Lowry was awarded a total of £74,816 to reupholster seating in the venue’s Quays Theatre with new padding and fabric.
After almost 25 years of constant use as one of the most popular theatres in the North, the seats in the Quays Theatre were much in need of a refurb, and with work completed in December, Lowry visitors can now enjoy watching the venue’s wide range of theatre, dance, comedy and drama in comfort.
The work was actually carried out between July and December, with seats being carefully removed in batches and reupholstered off-site.
This was made possible due to the Biffa Award’s most recent ‘Cultural Facilities’ theme, which aims to improve recreation, interest and education, drawing funds from the UK government’s wider Landfill Communities Fund.
The old fabric and padding were disposed of sustainably, with lots of it being repurposed where possible to minimise waste and all the new materials used meet current guidance for safety and quality.
The Lowry’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development, Gwen Oakden, said of the long overdue update:“It is so important that our audiences are able to enjoy our world-class performing arts programme in a comfortable and welcoming space.
“For many visitors to the Quays Theatre, this is their first experience of live performance – often to see a family show or as part of a school trip. We really want it to be the best experience possible, and for them to begin a lifelong relationship with Lowry.
“As a registered charity, without the generous support of this Biffa Award, for which we’re hugely grateful, we couldn’t have carried out this important work for our audiences.
As we head into our 25th Anniversary year, we are delighted to be able to welcome audiences and visitors can enjoy the beautiful and revived Quays Theatre.”
As for the Biffa side of things, Grants Manager Rachel Maidment added: “We are delighted to have supported The Lowry in refurbishing the Quays Theatre seating, ensuring audiences can continue to enjoy performances in comfort.
“Through Biffa’s Cultural Facilities theme, we fund projects that provide engaging and inspiring spaces for communities. The Lowry is a key cultural venue, and we’re proud that our funding, made possible through the government Fund, has helped enhance the experience for visitors for years to come.”
Like most Mancs, we love The Lowry, so here’s to hosting countless more theatregoers in the most comfortable seats possible for generations to come.
We’ve been to some brilliant performances around here of late.
Danny Jones -
11th August 2023 
