Coroner's Finding: Powell, Stephen Maxwell

72y · Male·exsanguination (blood loss) from severed femoral artery

Stephen Maxwell Powell, a 72-year-old man with schizophrenia, died by exsanguination from a self-inflicted femoral artery laceration. He was discharged from psychiatric inpatient care on a community treatment order on 14 December 2017 and died on 26-27 December 2017. The coroner found care, supervision and treatment whilst held under the Mental Health Act to be appropriate, with effective symptom improvement during admission, comprehensive discharge planning, and regular follow-up. Risk of self-harm had been assessed as low with no documented suicidal ideation. The coroner determined the death was self-inflicted but made no recommendations or criticisms regarding clinical care.