Healthcare Assistant Jailed for Patient Negligence

Rebecca Welch, a 29-year-old healthcare assistant, has been sentenced to one year in prison for negligence that led to the suicide of 31-year-old Amelia Rose at Millbrook Mental Health Unit. Welch failed to perform mandatory checks on Amelia, who was supposed to be monitored every ten minutes, and instead falsely recorded observations in a log. CCTV footage confirmed that no checks were made before Amelia was found unresponsive by another staff member. An inquest ruled that Amelia's death was likely a suicide, but her intent could not be determined. Her parents expressed devastation over their daughter's death, emphasizing that she could have had a fulfilling life if given proper care. The case highlights critical failures in mental health care and the importance of accountability for healthcare workers.