Inquiry after patient hanged

Ms Money was admitted to hospital after suffering depression

An investigation is under way after a psychiatric patient who was under strict supervision at a mid Wales hospital was found hanged.

Police carrying out enquiries into the death of Sylvan Money, 26, from Presteigne, have told the Powys coroner that instructions to watch her every 30 minutes may not have been passed to staff at the change of shift.

Police say Ms Money had a long history of depression and was admitted to Bronllys hospital, near Brecon.

Because of concerns about her safety, staff were told to keep an eye on her every 15 minutes, an instruction which was later changed to every 30 minutes.

Shift change

But after a shift change at 1400GMT on Tuesday, Ms Money was found hanged at 1515GMT.

Powys Coroner Geraint Williams has launched his own inquiry and a police officer told the formal opening of the inquest into Ms Money's death that it appeared that instructions may not have been passed on to staff at the shift change over.

Mr Williams opened the inquest on Thursday when Pc Joe Davies gave evidence.

"Pc Davies told me that Ms Money was on a half hour suicide watch," said Mr Williams.

"At about 2pm there was a change of shift at the hospital and it appears the member of staff who took over was not told to watch the patient every 30 minutes."

The inquest was adjourned.

A spokesman for Bronllys Hospital said that the board was unable to comment.