AN INQUIRY was under way today after a psychiatric patient hanged himself on a hospital ward in Southampton. David Cornford, 37, is the fourth person to have died in similar circumstances in the city's Department of Psychiatry this year. Health reporter Sarah Cole investigates...

HIS family will always remember his smile. Despite severe mental health problems, David Cornford had an infectious sense of humour and was a much-loved son and brother.

The troubled 37-year-old has become the fourth patient to have apparently taken their own life in Southampton's Department of Psychiatry in recent months.

He was found hanging from the ceiling of his bedroom on B Ward at the mental health hospital at 6.15pm on Sunday. Attempts to revive him failed.

David had been admitted after setting fire to himself with petrol outside a hostel in Millbrook the previous afternoon.

After refusing medical help, he was taken into police custody, where a force doctor examined him and concluded he was a serious suicide risk.

But just 24 hours after being admitted to the Department of Psychiatry, David was dead.

Now his devastated family is demanding to know how the tragedy was allowed to happen.

After learning David's death has been the fourth incident of its kind, they would like to see a public inquiry held to stop further deaths at the unit.

His sister, Sue Langley, 41, of Sholing, Southampton, said: "Everyone who knew David thought highly of him.

"He was a troubled but likeable man with a smile and a good sense of humour.

"We feel very strongly that he has been let down.

"We don't blame the staff who were on duty at the time but the management system. There are not enough staff on the ward and they are under such pressure."

Mrs Langley said the family was seeking legal advice and hoped an inquest would help answer crucial questions surrounding her brother's death.

"It would appear on the surface that David's death has been a case of neglect," she told the Daily Echo.

"We are told it could prompt a public inquiry which could potentially stop this from happening to somebody else."

Mrs Langley said she had been assured the ward was being checked every half an hour but David's case notes suggested he had last been checked at 5pm - more than an hour before his body was found.

Southampton born David, one of six children, had first tried to take his own life at the age of 21.

He lost part of his leg after another attempt in April 2003, when he jumped off scaffolding, also shattering part of his back.

A regular in-patient over the years, unemployed David had been discharged from the Department of Psychiatry about a month ago.

The hospital, known locally as the DOP, is based in the grounds of the Royal South Hants Hospital, St Mary's, and caters for patients with varying degrees of mental health illness.

It has three acute wards, one rehabilitation ward and one intensive care ward but demand for beds is high, with referrals made by GPs, social services, the police, casualty departments, prisons, courts and other units.

When David was discharged, he had nowhere to go and spent many days camped outside Patrick House, a homeless hostel in Millbrook Road, where he hoped to find accommodation. On rainy nights, friends or his 65-year-old mother - who was too distressed to talk about his death - would take him in.

Mrs Langley said: "We were concerned about the fact that David had been discharged without having anywhere to go.

"He used to flit around between my mum's and friends but was basically homeless. People were trying to find him accommodation but, because of his behavioural problems, nothing was suitable."

Another sister Wendy Kirkpatrick, 42, of Southampton, said: "We are all devastated by this.

"There were lots of people phoning around trying to help him but the system let him down.

"There didn't seem to be anything to meet his needs."

HEALTH TRUST'S STATEMENT ON DAVID'S DEATH:

HAMPSHIRE Partnership NHS Trust, which runs the Department of Psychiatry, today promised a full investigation into David Cornford's death.

In a statement released to the Daily Echo, a spokesman said: "I would like to extend our deepest sympathy on behalf of the trust, to family and friends and to say that our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time.

"Everybody concerned with the care of the victim is deeply shocked and saddened at what has happened.

"We are now working with the police and staff to carry out a thorough review to determine whether there is anything we can learn from this tragedy to improve services for future patients."

The spokesman said that he was unable to comment further for legal reasons, as anything said could potentially prejudice the forthcoming inquest.

A hearing was due to be opened and adjourned at Southampton Coroner's Court this week, pending the outcome of the joint investigation by Hampshire police and the NHS trust.

Although David's death is not being treated as suspicious, it is being investigated by detectives based at Bitterne police station on behalf of the Coroner.