Family to continue seeking 'justice' for brave soldier Ashley

Those are the words of a devastated mother of a soldier who died unexpectedly from an overdose of painkillers despite the fact doctors told her he would fine.

Martha Geraghty is adamant her son 26-year-old Ashley Wainwright was mistreated at Walsall Manor Hospital.

Whilst she is also convinced the Army failed in its duty of care for the 'brave' gunner who was awaiting medical discharge at RAF Cosford after being transferred from MoD Donnington.

Ms Geraghty believes their failure to grant compassionate leave for Ashley, from Sutton Coldfield, to spend time with his terminally ill father prompted four years of mental torment which ultimately led to his death.

But following an emotional three-day inquest Black Country Coroner Zafar Siddique delivered a verdict of a drug-related death, stating there was insufficient evidence to find a conclusion of neglect from the hospital.

Nevertheless Ms Geraghty and the family have vowed to carrying on fighting for justice for her son.

They issued a statement which said: "I feel that Ashley was let down by those who were supposed to look after him both in the Army and at Walsall Manor Hospital.

"My son was a brave soldier who fought for his country in Afghanistan. He was proud to have done so, but it is my belief that the way the Army treated him when he wanted compassionate leave to be with his terminally ill father, caused him to become mentally ill.

"He changed after this and when his resentment built to the stage he left the Army they did not even notice for 14 months.

"I expected them to look after my son and they didn't."

Concerning Ashley's treatment at Manor Hospital Ms Geraghty remains concerned Ashley's breathing was not supported and about a syringe they said was injected to him about 30 minutes before he died, which they claimed they were told would 'stop his breathing' if the dosage was too high. However during the inquest the doctor in question denied any knowledge of the syringe and Coroner Siddique maintained it was an 'area of dispute'.

Ms Geraghty added: "I am concerned that what I reported was not taken more seriously.

"I will continue to fight for justice for my son".

In response Rachel Overfield, Director of Nursing at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said: “We would like to once again offer our sympathies to Mr Wainwright’s family on their loss and assure them that the concerns they have raised about the Trust’s care and treatment have been fully and independently investigated.

“As a result we have made improvements around the recording of capnography (Carbon Dioxide monitoring), our documentation of observations and patients’ reviews, working with staff across all levels of the organisation.

“If Mr Wainwright’s family would like to meet with us further to discuss these actions we would welcome this opportunity and can make arrangements for them to do so.”

A statement from the Ministry of Defence added: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends of Gunner Wainwright at this difficult time. The mental health of everyone who serves our country is of the utmost importance and we continue to encourage those that need help to come forward and get the assistance they deserve.”