Ayla Haines was bubbly, extremely compassionate, generous, empathetic and loyal. She was adventurous and had a great sense of fun. Ayla would always put others before herself and always stood up for the underdog.
Ayla was also very troubled and suffered from a number of diagnosed conditions, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa and EUPD.
From the age of 20, Ayla was detained under the Mental Health Act due to self-harming and for her own safety. Following years of punitive measures, including physical restraints and at different mental health facilities, medical professionals determined that the most suitable facility for Ayla’s treatment would be the Parkland Ward at St Bernard’s Hospital in London. There were no similar, or appropriate facilities close to Ayla’s home in Carmarthen, meaning Ayla was separated from her family and friends.
Having initially responded well to the environment at Parkland, In February 2022, Ayla ended up in intensive care due to self-harming. On her return to the facility, Ayla was inappropriately placed in seclusion with restrictions on her possessions and clothing.
Sadly, on 20th April 2022, whilst under the care of the Parkland Ward, Ayla died after using a ligature.
The jury at the inquest into Ayla’s death concluded on 15th July 2024, (and whilst recognising that Ayla died as a result of her actions), that there was ‘insufficient evidence’ that she intended to take her own life, but that ‘failures to record observations, as well as a failure to follow protocol following missed observations, inadequate handovers and extenuating pressure on staff’ were all significant contributing factors to Ayla’s death. Ayla was failed by those tasked to care for her.
The record of inquest states that Ayla was escorted back to her room by a Healthcare Assistant at 18.57, where Ayla then closed the door. According to Ayla’s care plan, her door should have always been open.
Observations at 19.30 and 19.45 were missed, despite Ayla being on 15-minute observations. The observations at 20.00 and 20.43 lasted seven and eleven seconds and there were no further observations. At 21.23, a nurse signalled that there was a problem and at 21.24 Ayla was found to be unresponsive, cold, blue and floppy. She was described as “gone”.
At 21.29, a call was made to the London Ambulance Service with the first responder arriving at the rendezvous point at 21.35. Due to unclear instructions, they did not arrive at Ayla’s bedside until 21.45.
Jane Haines, Ayla’s Mum, raises concerns about the diagnoses Ayla received “I believe that Ayla was autistic, something that was suggested whilst she was still in school. Despite requests for an official assessment from both Ayla and myself, these were always denied. Had the assessments been carried out and the suspected autism confirmed, Ayla’s treatment could have been very different”.
Jane Haines commented “I am glad that the failings of the hospital were acknowledged in the report, and I hope that measures are now put in place to ensure that no other family loses a loved one in this way”.
Jane goes on to laud the “lack of mental health care provision in Wales, that forces patients like Ayla to be sent hundreds of miles away from their homes and loved ones, which can only be detrimental to their health and any hope of recovery”.
Ultimately, a young woman, Ayla, has lost her life. Her Mum “would like Ayla to be remembered for her kind, compassionate and loving nature, her honesty and her sense of fun.”
